Open spaces, flexible working and breakout zones are gradually becoming the norm in offices across the country and this is no surprise given how much of the workforce is now comprised of millennials.
This new wave of personnel is becoming bored with generic working environments and place greater importance on the culture and atmosphere than ever before on where they choose to work. I fact, a recent study found that over a fifth of millennials declined a job offer simply because the business had a poor workplace design and atmosphere.
Business must move with the times to provide an appealing place to work for millennials. Not only so that they don’t decline your job offer, but so that space can be used to its full potential. What puts most off change is the fact that they must invest time and money into such projects, but that doesn’t have to be the case. There are some quick wins for attracting millennials to your workplace:
Conference rooms with long tables and dozens of chairs still have their place but aren’t ideal for millennials who want frequent team gatherings in a more relaxed setting. Not only are breakout zones ideal for holding meetings, but they can also provide a place for taking breaks and making phone calls – making the best possible use of your office space.
Alternative colour schemes and unconventional soft furnishings will make your office space stand out and present the company as creative. Think indoor trees, mind maps, bean bags, artwork, chalkboards, board games; the options are limitless and much of it will depend on your company’s ethos.
Cubicles should now be a thing of the past. Communal spaces which support communication and don’t restrict workers to a desk are preferred by millennials. However, it’s important to offer areas where employees can focus and enjoy some peace amongst the noise of the office. When concentration is needed and deadlines must be met, a quiet area or privacy pod is the ideal retreat.
The line between millennials’ work and home life is far more blurred than for generations before. Many out-of-office friendships are formed at work and an office that fosters an environment to encourage this is great for improving company culture. Facilities or activities that can be easily incorporated into the office such as pool tables, games machines and social zones for breaks are all appreciated by millennials. A greater work from home and flexible working culture also means that only providing static desks with desktop computers may no longer be the best solution. We recommend implementing work booths, larger communal desks or sit-stand desks which are perfect for working at with a laptop.
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