Recent research conducted by Chicago-based internet job postings site Brill Street & Co. and Gfk Custom Research explored workplace benefits offered by 50 Chicago companies and their affect on young, tech-savvy workers from Gen Y. According to their study Gen Y workers look for, among other things, flexibility and telecommuting options, good vacation time, evidence of corporate social responsibility, and company social events or opportunities for social networking. The research found however that investing in one's employees boosts morale, motivation, and retention among all age levels. The research looked at both pricey and cheaper options for improving workplace benefits, citing everything from celebrating employees birthdays to sharing sales information, to workplace contests with prizes, to simple open-door policies.
See "Firms boost workplace benefits to attract, retain tech-savvy workers", Ann Meyer, Chicago Tribune, October 25, 2009