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Tech-savvy kids demand flexible hours
'It's our right, not a privilege'

By Gemma Simpson

Published: Tuesday 03 April 2007

Half of young employees reckon being able to choose when and where they work is more important than a fat pay cheque.

Many workers now view the opportunity to work away from the office as a right rather than a privilege with more people wanting a good social life as well as a good career, according to Microsoft-commissioned research.

The report also found 47 per cent already work outside the office - whether that's mobile-based, homeworking or in a wi-fi enabled coffee shop.

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Another trend identified by the report is that the need to learn and retain information is being replaced by a "just-in-time" culture, in which information is constantly accessible and shared between parties.

Mark Deakin, product manager for unified communication at Microsoft, said many under-25s are entering the workplace with certain expectations and preconceived ideas about the way in which they feel entitled to work.

Deakin added this raises clear cultural and managerial issues as overseeing a dispersed team is, for example, very different from managing an office-based group.

Half of UK households already have a broadband connection according to an earlier Ofcom report, with more than 13 million homes and SME offices now using fat pipes.