During the Industrial Revolution, people started working to survive, to meet basic needs. Workers started at the company, often a factory, and stayed there. Even though they were treated poorly by their boss, both mentally and physically, workers remained. That was the era: the boss is always right. There were few opportunities. These workers are usually the grandparents of the workers who are in active careers today. This time was characterized by long careers and a large loyalty to employers.

Next came the Technological Revolution, where IT companies rose from the ground and the Apples and HPs of the world were born. Workers from this revolution did not come to work for survival, but for a good standard of living. Their parents made this possible during the previous revolution. The focus of this group of workers was/is on having a good salary to be able to buy a house and a car and to put their children through college. There were already more opportunities in the job market. Loyalty was average, but workers who could improve ventured out. These are the parents of today’s active working population.

After the 2008 recession, a new revolution dawned: the Digital or Social Revolution. Loyalty is rather low . All information is freely available. Today’s employee is different because of this and fills work in a different way. Thus, they take “survival” (as during the Industrial Revolution) and having a good standard of living (as during the Technological Revolution) for granted. This does not drive them to work. Their grandparents and parents paved this path for them. When you impose restrictions on them or fail to meet their needs, they decide to look for another job. Today’s generation needs different impulses, drives. Thus, they want a good quality of life, not a standard of living, but quality, because the standard they are used to by their parents. What they do mean by quality of life is: a quality employer, a quality job content, a quality work environment, responsibilities, opportunities, training and compensation.