After a decade of news stories about how the infamous Millennial Generation was re-shaping everything from the traditional office to the automotive industry, a new generational cohort is on the horizon — Gen Z.
Gen Z (those born around or following the year 2000) have inherited a very different world than their predecessors. The Millennials were widely touted as being the first generation to be digital natives, having come of age following the arrival of the Internet, most of them still remember a time before social media. Gen Z, on the other hand, have been immersed in digital culture from the very beginning.
This means that Gen Z:
- Doesn’t tend to distinguish between life online and offline
- Is more willing to work from anywhere at anytime
- Highly values their online networks
Businesses wanting to appeal to Gen Z in the office— and tap into the major market they represent — need to be intentional about how they accommodate their different needs and perspectives. To that end, here are two important ways you can make your office more Gen-Z friendly.
Ditch the Open Concept Floor Plan
Nowhere is the distinction between the Millennials and Gen Z more apparent than in their attitude toward open office design. While 88% of Millennials say they like open concept offices, only 35% of Gen Z agrees. Most young Gen Z workers prefer to have a greater degree of privacy in work.
At the same time, for all their digital savvy — or perhaps because of it — they also tend to value face-to-face interactions. In some ways, this places their preferences closer to those of older generations of workers, who experienced a sharper distinction between the private workspace and the public meeting room.
This means that creating an office that feels welcoming to younger workers means finding a way to accommodate their preferences for more private, modular office furniture while also giving your Millennial workers the opportunity to work in a more open space.
A smart investment in commercial office furniture that offers the quality and flexibility to meet the needs of both kinds of workers is an important way to make your whole workforce feel more comfortable.
Make it Visually Appealing
Growing up with Snapchat, Instagram, Vine and now TikTok has rendered Gen Z a hyper-visual generation. Images are just as essential as text, for them, and they are drawn to workplaces that are visually engaging.
Aesthetically pleasing design is desirable for Gen Z workers not only because it makes for a more pleasant working environment, but also because it provides a more photogenic backdrop.
While older generations may grumble that the office is no place for selfies, in many industries this kind of organic engagement can actually be a huge boon — and the organic proficiency younger people have with social media is precisely what makes them such valuable employees.
Even if you don’t purchase high end contract furniture specially designed for your space, investing in commercial office furniture that is a cut above the flat pack is essential if you want to make your office more attractive.
Every time a new generation enters the workforce, adjustments need to be made. This dynamic has only been heightened by the seismic changes in technology that have taken place over the last twenty years.
Gen Z are notably different from Millennials in many important ways, so if you want to ensure that you aren’t left behind by younger consumers, bringing eager new hands on board your company is essential — and the first step toward this is designing a Gen Z friendly office.
