What Gen Z and Under Employees Want From Their Office Space
By the end of 2025, Gen Z employees will make up more than 1/4 of the UK workforce. They're the generation that said no to burnouts and said yes to flexible working, with 86% of business-to-business firms providing flexible working hours to some degree.
The Gen Z and under workforce is the most demanding, by far, but the changes they've forced into offices are making them more comfortable, accommodating, and actually enjoyable. Gone are the days of rock-hard office chairs and gone-off milk in the fridge.
They're arguably the generation that's changing working habits, expectations, and environments. Read on to learn what they're asking for from their workspace.
A Comfortable Working Space
Boomers would faint.
Gen Zs are demanding a comfortable workspace, and office managers are listening. From beanbag chillout areas and workspaces to a heating system that actually works, offices are actually a nice place to be in now.
There's no more being too cold or too hot to work because one person wanted the windows open. Businesses are seeking solutions like electric window openers that automatically open when the room becomes too hot and smart heating systems that prevent the room from overheating.
And this generation is literally creating office interior design trends. Some of the top Gen Z-inspired decor trends include:
Open and collaborative spaces
Biophilic designs
Artistic and customisable aesthetics
A Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Office
Multiple studies have found that this generation is the most concerned with sustainability and eco-friendly businesses and office spaces.
According to KPMG, one-third of young people in the UK have rejected job offers due to a business's view on sustainability. A similar Deloitte study found 40% of Gen Z and millennials would be willing to switch jobs due to climate concerns.
They're a generation driving energy-saving and eco-friendly practices to become the norm. From automatic temperature sensor-controlled window openers to commuting schemes that reward employees for cycling to work, the days of blasting the heating when the windows are open are gone.
Prioritising Their Wellbeing and Personal Values
Focusing on wellbeing and personal values is definitely one of the biggest. Research shows the Gen Z workforce is the most stressed demographic in the workplace, with 98% dealing with symptoms of burnout.
Employers are responding by offering flexible working and mental health days and making the office space more welcoming and 'relaxing', if you can call an office space that. Some modern offices are quite literally creating quiet zones and chillout areas for employees to get away from the desk and into a more tranquil environment.
Well-Being-Focused Features
This stressed-out generation is definitely leading to offices with more well-being-focused features than simple chillout areas.
They're being designed with more natural ventilation and light, with 32% of Gen Zs saying access to natural light is important to them. The 2 pm afternoon slump isn't so common when you have fresh air and natural light.
Some of the other common well-being-focused features include:
Ergonomic furniture
The latest technology and equipment to make working easier
Spacious lounges and kitchen areas so lunch isn't at the desk.
Multi-purpose rooms for training
And generally just a comfortable workspace that's open and relaxing to be in but with a work-focused setup so employees don't feel overwhelmed and overloaded.
It's interesting to see how the Gen Z workforce is changing the office environment. They're pushing the concept of coming to work away from the almost unbearable 9-5 and towards a working day that people actually want to get out of bed for. They're the most demanding generation, but the changes they're bringing are making the working day better for everyone.