Millennials are entering the workforce in greater numbers every year. In fact, by 2020, 86 million of them will be in the workforce. And, if they haven’t already, millennials will surely cause a change in the look and feel of the office as it was once known.
Studies have found that millennials prefer to work in a place designed with collaboration, creativity, and wellness in mind. Let’s talk about two key office design elements that will help you attract and retain a millennial workforce.
- Offering variety. Millennials want to choose where they’re going to be the most productive and with whom. Providing a variety of spaces where they can do that is key. Collaborative work stations allow employees to communicate face-to-face while working. Social sitting areas, which offer a more homey feel than traditional office furniture, have the ability to help people collaborate in a more informal setting. And, casual lounge areas provide more open spaces for informal meetings and information sharing.
Promote wellness. Millennials are looking for a haven within the workplace that provides a sense of work-life balance. The easiest way to do that is by designing a kitchen that provides healthy food choices, and promotes impromptu brainstorming sessions, while still allowing staff members to disconnect for a short period of time. Multiple small tables or one long table with multiple chairs both offer a place to unwind, and foster spontaneous interdepartmental conversations.
Millennials have high expectations for their office environment, which is why nontraditional office spaces are rising in popularity. At Alliance Corporate Services, we’ve learned that creating that environment will increase productivity and decrease turnover. We’ve also come to understand that everyone works differently. What worked for baby boomers doesn’t work for millennials,which is why we’re skilled in the design of spaces that encompass traditional office furniture pieces and more creativity-inspired pieces.
Contact us so we may help you create a space that will inspire creativity in all your employees, regardless of their age.