Dive Brief:
- In a new work preference survey, an overwhelming majority of millennials, 91%, said they would like one full-time job. DeVry University’s Career Advisory Board 2016 Survey shows surprising results for the millennial responders, who companies try to recruit, hire and retain with generous work arrangements and perks.
- Preference for a single job that’s full time was 81% of the participants’ responses. A small number of them, less than 1%, preferred special perquisites, such as wellness programs, onsite food vendors and daycare facilities. The rest preferred more essential company offerings like medical and dental plans, retirement benefits and paid time off. These offerings came in behind competitive salaries as the most preferable.
- Other surprising findings include: 1) Most respondents (22%) preferred to go into work every day and millennials (27%) were more likely than their older coworkers to want to be in the office every day; 2) Millennials, who often are labeled job hoppers, preferred a stable job (78%); and 3) A competitive salary was at the top of the list for most respondents, followed by job flexibility and challenging work.
Dive Insight:
The survey suggests that employers don’t have to go too far afield with creative perks and zany work arrangements to satisfy most employees, including millennials. Companies can do well by being respectful of workers, offering competitive wages and having good and health benefits.
Other surveys showed some surprising results about millennials’ outlook in the workplace. Speculation that they’re job hoppers seems to be exaggerated, or at least not true for a significant number of them. The message to employers then is not to treat millennials too much differently from other generations, but to respect an increased call for flexibility when able.
