
The study was intended to determine what the Millennium Generation wants from employers and what they consider to be an equitable work/life balance. Not surprisingly, they overwhelmingly wanted flexible work hours and remote access, with about one-third of college students saying that once they begin working, it will be their right – not a privilege – to be able to work remotely with a flexible schedule.
But the shocker was how strongly these young adults felt about limitations on their social media time.
- Over half of college students globally (56%) said that if they were offered a job at a company that banned access to social media, they would either turn it down, or ignore it.
- Two-thirds said they will ask about social media usage policies during job interviews.
- 41% of those in the workforce said their companies convinced them to take the job by offering them flexible device choice and friendly social media policies when recruiting them.
- At the same time, almost a third of the employees (31%) said their expertise with social media and devices actually helped land them the job — employers believing that such know-how would give the company a competitive advantage.

One in three young workers say social media freedom is more important than pay. (source: Cisco Systems)
The demand for flexibility extends to device choice as well.
- 81% want to choose the device for their job – either receiving funds to purchase the work device or bringing in a personal one in addition to standard company-issued devices.
- More than three-quarters (77%) have multiple devices, such as a laptop and a smartphone or multiple phones and computers.
- One-third (33%) use at least three devices for work.
- 68% believe their companies should allow them to access social media and personal sites with their work-issued devices.