Attracting Gen Y

Offering a mobile work environment, easy access to the office and high-tech amenities should be top priorities for organizations looking to attract and retain the Generation Y workforce, new research suggests.

The global study, conducted by Johnson Controls Inc.'s Global Workplace Solutions, surveyed the work-life preferences of 18- to 25-year-olds from the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, India and China, and found that young workers view the office as an extension of their home life. For example, 56 percent noted that they prefer flexible work arrangements that allow them to choose when to work, and 79 percent prefer a mobile work environment. Generation Y members also noted the importance of having high-tech gear to perform their jobs, with the most important tools being mobile phones, laptops, organizers/Blackberries and printers, the study found.

The study also found that Generation Y prioritizes opportunities to learn, work with colleagues and corporate culture and values when it comes to deciding which jobs to apply for. Young workers also prioritize collaboration and interaction in the workplace and require access to dedicated team spaces as well as ample breakout spaces, the study found.

The results of this study are not groundbreaking, but they do provide useful insight for the federal government in attracting and retaining the younger workforce. What I found most interesting is that young people said they are more interested in an organization's culture and opportunities to learn when deciding where to apply. This is contrary to other studies I've written about, which found that access to technology and Web 2.0 tools are key to the job choices of younger workers. Based on the results of this study, the federal government may be in good shape to attract the younger workforce, particularly as it looks to adopt a more mobile work environment. What do you think?