New Generation Offices for Y and Z Generations

New Generation Offices for Gen Y and Z

New generation offices for Gen Y and Z

As of 2020, we have entered an era where baby boomers, Generations X, Y, and Z share the same workplace. According to a study, more than three-quarters of employees are between the ages of 18-34. The design and aesthetics of offices significantly impact Generation Y and Z employees' impressions of the company.

What are the characteristics of these generational employees?

-      They closely follow technology. The new generations grew up as digital natives, not knowing a world without the internet.

-      They are socially conscious.They prefer companies that embrace social responsibility.

-      They have short attention spans. The new norm is multitasking, which sometimes means employees are using five devices on average at the same time.

-      They are enthusiastic and ambitious. Many employees expect a promotion every year or two.

-      They are job hoppers. Many plan to stay at a company for less than three years.

-      They are boomerang employees. They don’t hesitate to leave a company with the possibility of returning to work there later.

In short, the expectations and needs of the new generation of employees are quite different. The generation that works 9-5 and waits for retirement is almost non-existent in today's workforce.

For instance, mobility and ergonomics in office chairs are now critically important. The employees no longer want to be tied to their desks all day. They can work from anywhere thanks to mobile devices and Wi-Fi. This reduces the need for individual office space and increases the demand for shared offices and co-working spaces.

Collaboration, a staple in today's digital world, also increases the need for co-working spaces. Gen Y and Z do not want to be confined to a desk or small cubicles. They prefer co-working spaces with open-floor plans, meeting pods, spaces for short breaks from work, and cafeterias where they can eat, drink, and socialize. Comfortable and dynamic sofa sets in co-working spaces will help increase long-term collaboration, productivity, daily interaction, and team camaraderie.

In line with the expectations of the younger generations, change is inevitable. The diversity of project teams and the continuous technology-driven changes in working methods increase the need for modular office furniture in workplaces. A human-centered design approach, where offices adapt to employees and not the other way around, necessitates designing comfortable offices and ergonomic office furniture that prioritize employees' health.

New generation offices for Gen Y and Z

Overall, the design of a workplace affects the psychological and physical well-being of employees. When employees feel comfortable and relaxed in their workspaces, their performance is positively impacted, and their productivity increases.