Younger Workers' Job Expectations Becoming The Norm

Skills development, promotions, compensation, paid time off, and culture are what workers younger than 30 say are the five most effective ways to attract and retain them. The fifth annual Strategic Rewards survey from Watson Wyatt Worldwide also found that those preferences expressed by the under-30 group are beginning to be reflected in companies' overall non-monetary reward strategies. More than three-quarters -- or 76% -- of the companies surveyed said that they have increased advancement opportunities in their organization. That compares with just 60% a year ago. In addition, the percentage of companies that offer flexible work schedules has climbed from 64% to 73%. Some 68% -- compared with 62% in 1999 -- say they have increased opportunities for employees to learn new skills. And 43% -- compared with 33% a year ago -- offer opportunities to work-at-home. At the same time, that new emphasis on non-monetary rewards has reduced the appetite of companies to pay above-the-market premiums for workers. Only 25% of companies said they used that strategy in 2000 compared with 43% the year before.