Webinar: why we shouldn't design offices just for millennials

With all the focus on millennials, you'd be forgiven for thinking that we should be designing offices for the select needs of this generation. After all, they're the future - right?

Phillip Merrick, Workplace Consultant from WKSpace joins us to uncover the truth behind millennials, and how they're surprisingly similar to the generations that came before.

Research looking at generational groups and their impact on office design and culture always throws up questions about millennials. Born between 1985 and 1995, this group of Gen Y movers and shakers grew up in the late 90s and early 2000s. Stereotyped as impatient, millennials are often purported to be in constant need of gratification. Raised with technology at their fingertips and seeing first-hand its ins and outs, millennials are also known as ‘digital natives’.

The challenges millennials create in the workplace may stem from their formative years and resulting behaviours. Consider this: millennials grew up in the era of non-competitive sports days and endless encouragement to ‘be who you want to be’. As a result, there’s a school of thought that this more demanding generation has entered the working world with a greater sense of entitlement. Of course, this doesn’t undermine their incredible traits; they’re tech-savvy, can easily access online markets that Boomers and Gen X are unfamiliar with, and they’re more likely to be collaborative and entrepreneurial with other professional side-hustles.

What do millennials want?

A few years ago, Google revealed what they were doing with their workplace, which was seen to be a frontrunner of millennial office design. It was the ultimate big-kid workplace, complete with ping pong tables, indoor slides and bean bags. In a way, it became a catalyst for other companies to take stock of how to attract and retain millennials and, essentially, how to build loyalty.

The stereotypical millennial office gets eyes rolling pretty quickly as these 20- and 30-somethings have been tainted with an ‘urban cool’ paintbrush. Their dream office has bean bags and mountains of free stuff - from breakfasts to yoga classes - to sweeten the working world. But frankly speaking, who doesn’t love a perk?

Thinking about where a millennial sits in their career trajectory, anything that may help them along financially is a huge win. This sort of workplace culture really does appeal to a millennial; it tells them they’re being looked after and they’re valued for their contribution.

The second thing a millennial is looking for is friends: a sense of community and a social scene that’ll liven up their work-life and boost creativity. Without the commitments of family life, millennials are more willing than older generations to form bonds with their colleagues which extend past offices hours into the cocktail bar or local pub.

What do millennials want from the office?

The campus experience with different areas for various activities really appeals to the millennial. This could manifest itself in a whole multitude of ways, and the combinations are endless. For example: a classroom or private space for learning, a café for socialising, a quiet room for relaxing, as well as traditional and non-traditional working stations.

Why we shouldn't design offices for just millennials

A modern office is a necessity for everyone, not just the younger generation. Office design should be about providing future-proofed spaces which support and inspire, rather than gimmicks like swings, faux grass and slides.

An ideal office is a place where all your employees are happy, comfortable and productive; where their needs are met and where they can make positive connections with colleagues. If it succeeds in doing this, the office will not alienate and stereotype generational groups; it will encourage people to share and learn from each other’s strengths instead.