Survey Says: Young Workers Like Their Jobs, But Not Enough To Stay

In what might come as a surprise to many of you, the youngest employees (those aged 16 to 34) are also the most likely to be happy with their jobs, and willing to recommend their companies as good places to work, according to the latest What's Working survey by global HR firm Mercer.

But if you've got young workers on your team, don't get too complacent. Mercer also found that nearly half (46 percent) of employees aged 16 to 24, and 40 percent of those aged 25 to 34, are "seriously considering" leaving their employers. What gives? Mercer notes younger workers have grown up in a shifting world where employees no longer stay with the same company all their lives, so they perceive there are a lot of opportunities for them, despite today’s economic challenges. Globalization is also a factor, with younger workers more open to the idea of moving to other countries to work.

Why it matters to your business: Young employees value openness, so talking with your younger workers about their goals and expectations is key. Young employees may perceive less opportunity for growth at a small business, so it's up to you to show them how they can advance, provide proper training and guidance, and demonstrate how the chance to wear many hats at a small business can actually mean more opportunity for growth than working at a big corporation.

Comments

[DFnashuaNH]

10:23 PM on 12/08/2011

Finally a positive piece on the young worker - so tired of hearing about how they all got a trophy in high school even if they failed and now they're spoiled. Just as I thought - they want what we all want and like all of us face the new reality that you won't have a lasting job for long - so why not take control and 'plan to leave' under your own terms through preparation. It keeps your options open. The behavior and satisfaction of workers of any age is as much of a key economic indicator - worth tracking - as anything else. I recently read an entrepreneurship book that states part of building a brand is creating a climate in your workplace as well as a vision of HOW you do things - attitudes and all - Leaders can impart this and provide support for growth in all the ways that make people stay and in fact will build their brand in doing so. Whats good for these workers and all workers is good for business.

[nigelstpierre]

06:57 PM on 12/08/2011

As a young worker in a professional environment I see many reasons to move from company to company.
1. It gives you the chance to broaden your resume' and see what you are passionate about.
2. It keeps your options open and lets face it, the same ol' same ol gets boring!
3. Life changes; sometimes way too fast. A bad break up, death in a family, sometimes it feels good to get up and move!

Why limit yourself to one job for your whole career?? Life is to live and experience things; I would be depressed if I didn't drastically change it up every few years...

[sobe123]

04:00 PM on 12/08/2011

Many young people look at the corporate world, companies of all size, and see very little loyalty left for the employee. No wonder most think I'll work here for a year or two and move onto something bigger and better.

[Eric Shin]

09:29 AM on 12/08/2011

These young kids see the Kardashians and all the other reality shows and when they see how boring the real world is they bail. I've had that happen a few times. Life is not fun and games

[NevaforLeadership]

10:41 AM on 12/08/2011

If the company allows open input without retribution, offers dignity and respect, offers improvement and career paths, acknowledges experience and expertise, does not micromanage employees, briefs and debriefs, replaces annual employee reviews with annual company reviews, has the courage to work out differences instead of firing, and most importantly manages itself well, then young people will stay.