Boomers were generally brought up in large families where they did not get what they wanted immediately, waiting their turn or until things were handed down. GenYs often come from small or blended families with both parents well-off, working and inclined to indulge their children.Whatever Gen Ys want is immediately available. Gen Ys learnt early to negotiate with their parents, skills they are now bringing to the workforce!

Gen Ys are postponing all adult committments into their 30s.If they are not engaged by their employmentthey can leave at a whim without thought to consequences. Gen Ys in their 20s have options that boomers did not have at the same age. There is a real attraction for Gen Y to go and live and work in the UK and soon to the US following the relaxation of visa requirements. One way for employers to deal with this would be to offer career breaks, leave without pay with an incentive to return to the firm at the end of the travelling experience.

From BRW December 8-14, 2005, pg 58