Are Australian candidates amongst the "most demanding" in the world?

A survey of six advanced countries (Australia, United Kingdom, USA, France, Germany and the Netherlands) undertaken by HR Software company; Success factors has turned up some interesting results.

For example the survey revealed that over 80% of Australian candidates requested benefits beyond what they were originally offered by future employers and that they were most likely to ask for: Flexible working hours (59%), higher pay (54%), training (44%) and flexible working locations (31%). Australians were more likely to ask for flexible working conditions than those in other surveyed countries. Approximately 70% of the requests were granted, which means that candidates have a high probability of success with their requests. 

The survey also found that employers are more likely to grant candidates non-financial requests. With 71% allowing additional training, 63% flexible working hours, 55% flexible job locations and 46% a hiring bonus, followed by 45% for higher pay. Typically the most likely pay increase granted was between 5% to 20% (78%). Australia was the least likely (along with France) to grant, just 12% of the time, a pay increase over 20%.

Across all countries surveyed; woman are more likely to ask for flexible working hours (50%) and flexible working locations (40%) whereas men tend to ask for higher pay (45%), a hiring bonus (43%) or a higher job title (39%). Women want flexibility, Men want money and prestige.

The survey also found that differences were greater across generations than sex, with Generation X being the most demanding, which is interesting given the attention given to the needs of Generation Y in the popular Press. Baby Boomers were the least demanding by a long shot with just 12% (the highest figure in their group of parameters) asking for additional leave. Generation X asked for higher job titles (49%) than Generation Y (24%) and the Boomers (6%). Similar figures were recorded across the generations for: Pay, Bonuses, and Flexible working hours. It was only in training that Generation Y (40%) exceeded Generation X (17%) and the Baby Boomers (2%). 

Across the range of parameters Baby Boomers were very modest in their demands, meaning that they were probably just grateful to get a new job. Generation X would appear to be well within the sought after sector of the employment market, to be able to demand and largely achieve their requests. Whilst Generation Y are still in the experience accumulation phase of their careers.
A conclusion to be drawn from this survey is that no matter the age or sex of employees, there are significant differences in what individual candidates aspire to in seeking employment compensation and that every negotiation with a new employee needs to be individually tailored.