WORKPLACE FOR GEN Z V/S MILLENNIALS
Businesses are reorganizing and reshaping their workplaces to attract staff back to the office. With all the new developments around flexible working, there is a huge incentive for organization’s to make their offices appeal to younger generations.
It is estimated that by 2025, Millennial’s will make up over 75% of the global workforce and Gen Z has steadily been entering the workplace as they begin to reach employment age. Millennial and Gen Z are expecting their demands to be accommodated by businesses and the workplace can play a big part in their decision about where they work.
Modern workplace should be reimagined in a way that accommodates the Millennial’s and generation-Zer’s, it must also allow older generations to feel comfortable. After working in the same way for years, changing habits can be difficult. Some employees will prefer a dedicated desk where they feel comfortable and routined. To accommodate everyone in an agile working policy, you have to be flexible in your thinking as much as in the design.
EMBRACE HYRBRID WORKING AND FLEXIBILITY
Millennials are a generation that seeks communication, flexibility and a choice on how they work and the right office design can give them that. The workplace needs to offer more than an open-plan space with good social spaces, the best Millennial and Gen Z talent want real flexibility to split their time between the office and remote locations
Companies with a hybrid workforce have seen the need for more multi-use areas and increased functionality in the workplace. Breakout spaces and informal seating areas now need to be equipped with the right types of furniture so that they can be used as a work setting as well as their primary purpose. Other considerations like acoustics, meeting pods and increased power outlets are all examples of the changes that can be made to an office to enable flexibility for staff.
ACTIVATE COLLABORATION
Activating collaboration and a connected culture can be achieved by designing areas in the office that are dedicated to collaborative work or by offering a variety of spaces that allow people to meet naturally and work together away from their desks. Creating an environment that encourages daily interaction promotes a culture of togetherness and unity which is essential to enabling a collaborative and creative workplace that is highly sought after by Millennials and Gen Z talent.
DESIGNING OFFICES FOR GEN Z
For Gen Z, office design is not just about aesthetics, although they lean toward a minimalistic, less cluttered approach with lots of natural light, biophilic elements, and sustainable materials. The future workplace is full of flexible spaces that give Zoomers, and everyone else, that all-important autonomy to choose where and when they do their work. From a design standpoint, whether it’s a stand-alone office or a vast portfolio of spaces for the largest companies, we are using fewer hard-wall environments and opting instead for more flexible furniture and materials, with a strong emphasis on acoustics, natural light, and environmentally conscious products. The overall vibe is one of comfort and safety with a strong sense of community.
Gen Z and Millennial Survey shows that currently 49% of Gen Zs and 45% of millennials work remotely at least some of the time, while three-quarters say this would be their preferred mode of working. This shows that nearly half of each generation wants to get more time back to enable them to save money or spend time with family. This is a significant change and while these demands may seem a long way away from the traditional expectations pre-pandemic, companies have an opportunity to readdress the balance in the workplace through intelligent design, new ways of working and modern solutions.