Pay and perks just the job for youths

(The Standard P.7  30 May 2013) Salary and benefits are the most important factors (因素) for young workers, a survey shows.

 

The findings are from the "Who are our Generation Y and Z?" survey conducted from January 2010 to this month by the Continuing Professional Development Alliance (持續專業進修聯盟).

 

A total of 1,604 people were asked to rate what factors influence (影響) their decision to choose and stay in a job.

 

For "Gen Y," those born from 1980 to 1994, salary and benefits were the most important factor, followed by a clear and achievable career path, professional, interest and fun, and job security.

 

"Gen Z," those born after 1994, also valued monetary compensation the most, followed by interests and fun, and a clear and achievable career path.

 

"This survey will shed light on the characteristics(典型的) and preferences of Gen Y and Gen Z so that employers of different professions can better understand them," said Virginia Choi Wai-kam, chairwoman of the alliance, a grouping of various professional bodies.

 

Gen Y and Gen Z also want to take part in decision making, are adaptable to the environment, and want to have more instant (迫切的) responses when communicating and flexible working hours.

 

Gen Y also felt money and title communicating were the most important reward (獎賞) followed by satisfactory (良好的) performance in their job, meaningful work and freedom.

Both generations also desired a supportive mentor (良師益友). The least desirable one for Gen Y was a directive mentor.

"A directive (指導的) mentor gives all the instructions and rules while a supportive one offers help when you need according to the situation," said Grace Tsang Sau- ping, a senior lecturer in the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education's department of business administration (香港專業教育學院).

Choi suggested that bosses could make an effort to increase informal communication with their young workers.

 

"Managers could make an effort to have lunch with them, talk about their lives and also give them small gifts on special occasions," she said.

 

"Besides being recognized for their contributions by their mentors, when these youths upload pictures of the presents from their bosses online, they can also gain peer approval (認可) and admiration (讚美)."

 

Jeraldine Phneah