"Baby boomers still dominate the workforce. Some of them are used to working overtime, expecting office hierarchy and paying your dues," explains Kelly Sterk, Workplace Research Manager for leading office furniture manufacturer Allsteel Inc. "Younger workers often set a higher priority on the latest technology combined with more flexibility and autonomy, and the freedom to work when and where it suits them."
This translates into a challenge for real estate professionals, facility managers, architects and interior designers: how do they create workplaces that make each age group feel valued and rewarded, and encourage creativity and productivity?
The Generation Gap?
Changes in the economy and demographics have converged to create one of the most highly diverse workforces ever. Minority groups and women are increasingly represented. People are living longer, healthier lives and many want to work longer. There is a real need for employers to hold on to experienced knowledge workers. And there is competition for the youngest and brightest minds coming into the market. This means a workforce of people of varying ages -- with very different ideas about what they do for work and what work does for them -- are all together in the same workplace.
Baby boomers encompass the largest segment in the workforce and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Economic necessity, better health and the fact that there are fewer, younger workers to immediately replace them will likely keep many Boomers working well past the time their parents retired.
Certainly not all, but a number of Boomers equate success at work as synonymous with success in life. Many of them were raised to believe that putting in long hours, progressing up the corporate ladder and demonstrating loyalty would result in visible, measurable rewards from their employers. This may mean a private and/or larger office, increased compensation and a better title. On the same token, this 'old-style work-ethic' is actually shared by a number of cross-generational workers, young and old. And many Boomers have not only welcomed the latest collaborative work styles but appreciate available technology, as well.
Gen X, basically people in their 30s and early 40s, tend to embrace so- called "lifestyle" brands that express what they perceive as a more individualized, meaningful sense of self. The former stereotype of them as self-centered, snow-boarding, SUV-driving, cell phone-addicted individuals is a fallacy. In reality, Gen Xers value technology advances, education, family, cultural diversity and pursuit of self-improvement.
"At work, Gen X usually wants flexible hours, interesting projects that put value on ideas and creativity, independence and collaboration, and the ability to express themselves in their work products and environment," Sterk notes.
Gen Y (or 'Millennials'), began graduating from college in 2000, and take it to the next level. They've never known a world without technology, and use it to connect and expand their vast social network. They're also optimistic, often value entrepreneurship and free agency over loyalty and longevity, and embrace diversity as the norm. Gen Y view themselves as fundamentally equal and want to work for organizations that are fun, friendly and concerned about society and the environment, as well as the bottom line.
Important Differences in the Workplace
Different generations bring different values and expectations to the workplace and place importance on different things:
- Large offices and physical markers of individual success vs. collaborative space and the latest technology
- "I work hard, I win" attitude vs. a distinct balance between personal rewards and group benefits
- In-office status indicators like leather upholstery and wood casegoods vs. an open plan, light-scale mobile furniture, natural light and Wi-Fi
- Face-to-face communication vs. email and instant messaging
- Workstation size, lighting, temperature and sufficient storage vs. more flexibility, autonomy and socialization
New Ways of Working
Several notable shifts impact how and where work occurs - including the need for knowledge worker retention, prevalence of mobile technology and attention to attracting and rewarding tomorrow's workforce. Allsteel's Sterk points out that today's office spaces must be many things to many people:
- Finding Privacy. New ways of working and rising real estate costs make compact offices and open planning more attractive to businesses and organizations. Instead of individual offices, people are able to move to spaces that reflect the nature of the work that needs to be done.
- Strategies of Space. Mobile technology means people are working more hours outside the office. Companies must provide settings that reflect employee styles and meet functional requirements. This means designing conference rooms with moveable whiteboards to encourage creative brainstorming, standing-height worksurfaces for impromptu meetings and open plans with 'touchdown' or benching locations complete with docking stations.
- Facilitate Collaboration. Contemporary office space must easily accommodate both spontaneous and formal group gatherings. Workstation clusters can be organized to allow workers to concentrate on their tasks and then easily roll their chairs nearby to confer with teammates.
Potential Implications
Company culture serves as an important element to recruit and retain workers, and the work environment can reinforce or detract from it. According to Sterk, "Office space that makes workers feel valued, inspired and part of an affinity group can help retain and recruit, as well as encourage creativity and productivity. The arrangement of furniture and workspaces must allow for and support collaboration between the generations."
Experienced workers are redefining retirement, and their knowledge and institutional wisdom can benefit companies and coworkers for many years before eventually transferring that knowledge onto younger generations. And in turn, younger workers' vitality, new ideas and team orientation can and must move companies into the future.
"It continues to be important to use real estate space effectively by reducing costs and maximizing versatility with work environments. This allows a broad variety of people to work effectively in the broadest variety of ways," Sterk states.
