Working from home is young workers’ top priority

An investigation into working habits has revealed what encourages employee retention in younger workers. The study by ReportLinker showed that 66% of older workers strongly agreed that they were highly committed to their place of work, compared to only 40% of Millennials who somewhat agreed as statistics showed the increased likelihood of 25-34 year olds to switch employers within five years of employment.

The most important perk many employees value in a job is the ability to telecommute. Working from home with access to their email, phone and online resources was considered the top priority overall according to the survey, even though just 11% of employees say their job offers the opportunity to telecommute. This is part of a growing need for maintaining a balance between employees’ work and personal lives, a move that has led around 38% of companies to offer extended time off to workers who want to follow a passion outside of their work hours, according to the report.

Other perks that have an effect on worker retention are offer of free snacks or beverages, as well as membership to a work gym or access to nap pods and relaxing areas. As more Millennials grow older, a desire to spend time with their families has become more vital. Policies that allow for parent leave ranked second in priorities for workers.

Employees given more responsibilities in decision making processes have been found to be 87% more likely to stay committed to a company than their peers, something that bosses are beginning to act upon. Instead of using a more traditional hierarchical structure, some employers are looking to shift management structures to encourage younger workers to stay for longer by encouraging worker engagement.

The study cites companies like Google for presenting creative opportunities that can have a major impact on productivity. Access to free gourmet food and on-site healthcare are applauded for increasing morale and productivity, as well as for saving employees’ time and money. As the studies suggest that work productivity increase as work hours decrease, the report quotes writer Dr Daniel Levitin and encourages the power of refuel time.

“The companies that are winning the productivity battle are the ones that provide productivity hours, naps, a chance for exercise, a calm, tranquil, orderly environment in which to do their work,” wrote Dr Levitin in his book, The Orgainized Mind. “If you’re in a stressful environment where you’re asked to produce and produce, you’re unlikely to have any deep insights.”