Management Toolkit

Young IT managers value ethics over pay

Tim Ferguson silicon.com

Published: 12 Jun 2008 09:29 BST

Young 'Generation Y' managers working in the tech sector are loyal and prepared to work hard in order to develop their careers.

This goes against the view that today's young managers are self-absorbed, disloyal and impatient, according to the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).

The CMI research — which quizzed 826 managers under 35 as well as management students — found many appear to be driven by ethics and a sense of purpose.

A strong degree of commitment was shown in the research, with 62 percent of young managers in the IT sector saying they have been in their job for three years or more.

Showing impressive loyalty, just 14 percent said they would quit their job if they won the lottery.

Just seven percent supported the commonly held IT stereotype, saying there was little reason to be "excessively loyal" to a company.

A sense of purpose was also in evidence with 85 percent saying they want to work for an organisation that does something they believe in, and 62 percent saying they like an employer to have "strong values".

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And there was a degree of patience shown, with 83 percent saying they considered potential long-term career opportunities when joining their current employer.

Just over half (53 percent) of those quizzed said they have a personal development plan, while 50 percent said they know how to achieve their ambitions.

The research also suggested skills development is important, with 83 percent saying they would be attracted by companies offering training and development.

Just 26 percent cited pay as a very important element in their job choice, with 85 percent saying the "challenge of work" is a key factor in their job choice.

Jo Causon, director, marketing and corporate affairs at the CMI, said despite the common perception, Generation Y workers have a strong desire to develop at work and enjoy their job.

Credit: Loyal techies value ethics over pay from silicon.com