Global HR and finance professionals believe that flexible hours are key to job satisfaction for Generation Y workers (born after 1980) according to research by recruitment consultancy Robert Half Finance & Accounting.

The survey, conducted among 1,800 HR and finance professionals in 11 countries, asked the motivating factors in the workplace for Generation Y staff. The top answer was the benefits of flexible working, given by 36%.

This was followed by performance related salary and bonuses (33%) and programmes for career development (32%).

HR and Finance professionals believe that this generation is most likely to leave a company because of the lack of career development prospects (50%), poor salary and bonuses (39%) and an inadequate work/life balance (12%).

Phil Sheridan, managing director of Robert Half Finance & Accounting, said that Generation Y staff are: “Independent, socially conscious and technologically savvy and are very different from their predecessors.

“Particularly driven by work-life balance, they are seeking employment opportunities that complement their lifestyle and include strong provisions for career development and financial rewards.”

Experts believe that there are currently four generations in the workforce (Veterans, Baby Boomers, Generation X and Generation Y). Generation Y workers are also known as "Millennials", "Nexters", "EchoBoomers" or "Yers”.