A new report shows that employers in Europe will have to consider a different approach if they want to recruit, reward and retain future generations entering the workforce.

28 August 2006

AMSTERDAM - A new report shows that employers in Europe will have to consider a different approach if they want to recruit, reward and retain future generations entering the workforce.

'To be happy in whatever they do' was the most important criterion in a survey, carried out by Generation Europe and the FutureWork Forum, of more than 3,000 European university students and recent graduates polled on their views and expectations of the workplace of the future.

Also important was to work in a flexible environment for companies that put a priority on ethical practices. Overall, life/work balance issues dominated the results, with few showing little direct interest in amassing power or money.

Criteria such as "wanting to be happy in whatever I do', "being able to work outside my country", "achieving a good life/work balance" and a "need to work for an organisation with a good reputation", were listed as more important than "a desire to lead, manage and supervise people", "an expectation of achieving power and influence", and "to work for a multinational business".

A true European Generation

"There is no doubt that in the next few years we are going to see the creation of a true European generation. Tomorrow's leaders in business, academia and politics are mobile and have grown up in an increasingly border-less world and all share a language they understand, speak and write - English," said Catie Thorburn, president of Generation Europe.

Mike Johnson, chairman of the FutureWork Forum, added, "The next generation is not at all concerned where emerging technology will take us. The majority of the sample believes that technology acts as an enabler, freeing individuals to do more interesting work and as a force for good that will assist us in tackling broad issues of concern like climate change, poverty and world health."

[Copyright Expatica 2006]