Social Media vs. Salary?

There's good news for federal agencies that embrace social media and telework: they may have more of a competitive edge for young workers than companies that often offer higher salaries, according to new research from Cisco.

The second chapter of the 2011 Cisco Connected World Technology Report found that young professionals and college students value the use of social media, mobile devices and the Internet in the workplace so much that it plays a role in their future job choice, sometimes more than salary does.

The survey of more than 2,800 college students and young professionals under age 30 in 14 countries found that 33 percent of respondents would prioritize social media freedom, device flexibility and work mobility in accepting a job offer.

In addition, 40 percent of college students and 45 percent of young employees said they would accept a lower-paying job that had more flexibility with social media access, device choice and work mobility than a higher-paying job with less flexibility.

Sixty-four percent of college students said they plan to ask about social media policies during job interviews, with 24 percent saying it would be a key factor in their decision to accept an offer. Remote access was also important to young workers, with 29 percent saying the absence of remote access would influence their job decisions, such as leaving companies sooner rather than later or declining job offers outright.

Half of college students and young employees also said they would rather lose their wallet or purse than their smartphone or mobile device, the study found. More than three of every four employees have multiple devices, such as a laptop and a smartphone or multiple phones and computers, and 71 percent believe that company-issued devices should be allowed for personal and business use because of the blending of work and personal communications in their daily lifestyle.

In addition, 81 percent of respondents said they want to choose their own device for their job, and 42 percent believe companies should be flexible and empathetic to their need to stay connected via social media and personal websites.

The first installment of Cisco's study found that one in three college students and young professionals consider the Internet to be as important as air, water, food and shelter. In some cases, respondents called the Internet more essential than owning a car, dating and going to parties.

What are your thoughts on the study? Is your agency positioned to attract and retain younger workers as a result of flexible work options and social media use?