WeWork GM on how to engage the younger generation of talent
WeWork’s general manager for Australia and southeast Asia Balder Tol explains how to appeal to our future workforce: the younger generation.
While employees across Australia are returning to the workplace — voluntarily or otherwise — younger workers are making their way into the office, sometimes for the first time ever. This is uncharted territory for both gen Z and some millennials who have kick-started their career during the middle of the pandemic. It can be really challenging to be passionate and intentional about work from a remote capacity. According to a new PwC survey, 34% of respondents with less than five years of work on their resumes said they feel less productive while working remotely.
Last year, over 77% of Australians stated that they would prefer a hybrid approach to work going forward. As gen Z and millennials continue to make up an increasing percentage of the workforce, companies need to reevaluate how to engage this important demographic of workers. Organisations need to start thinking about the right hybrid strategies to put in place to get this younger generation of talent to feel more committed and excited about being a part of the team outside of day-to-day work.
Flexible working whenever and wherever you need it
According to Deloitte’s Global 2022 Gen-Z and Millennial Survey, 75% of gen Z and 76% of the millennials would prefer a hybrid work offering or option to work remotely. Hybrid models aren’t only about whether or not to allow employees to work from home, but it also gives them flexibility within the workspace.
This translates to different types of spaces to work from. For example, providing an open shared space that cultivates collaboration and private rooms that are more suitable for mentoring or deep work. There is also a growing need to provide work spaces in different locations, such as in CBDs and city centers versus suburban areas. This also provides 24/7 access to the office and the ability to work from different locations. We see that gen Z employees want more out of work than just flexible schedules with this generation motivated by enjoyable work, meaningful connections and wellness in the workplace.
By adapting a flexible working arrangement, employers will allow employees to choose to come to the office because it offers them an experience they cannot get while working remotely. Whether it’s the people, amenities, services, or opportunities for collaboration, businesses need to start thinking about and prioritising what brings their workforce into the office. While many businesses can not under-go a complete office renovation to meet the younger generation’s needs, there are membership passes you can give team members that provide flexibility to work from hybrid locations around the world. Our ways of working have adapted, so traditional ways of thinking about office space need to adapt as well.
In-person collaboration and culture
While working from home is appreciated by both gen Z and millennials for its flexibility — with no commute and more compatible with family life — it also prevents workers from reaching a certain level of collaboration that can only be achieved with in-person meetings and work sessions. For new employees, adhering to the culture can be difficult, and working from home adds a layer of complexity to this. It has recently been found that 83% of Australian workers declare that they are likely to experience meaningful connections with their colleagues while at their workplace. Gen Z in particular feel like they have the most to lose from extended periods away from the office, including missed mentorship opportunities for casual conversations and relationship building with colleagues that happen throughout the day.
The way one designs a space plays an important role to bring those types of serendipitous meetings back. For example, creating spaces where the directional flow encourages informal and unplanned interactions within your space is important because it stimulates collaboration and offers the opportunity for employees to share, listen, and simply enjoy one another’s company. It is key for companies to provide an office space for gen Z and millennials for in-person collaboration, mentoring, learning and culture, whether it’s more lounge space for informal catch ups or more dynamic conference rooms for team onboarding or brainstorming.
Support the way different individuals want to work
The younger generation has different priorities when it comes to choosing their employers, or committing to their current company. For the younger generation of talent, diversity and inclusion in the workplace aren’t ‘nice-to-haves’ anymore, but a requirement. Gen Zs and millenials are looking for a place to come that allows them to bring their full self to work. Features like gender neutral bathrooms, prayer rooms and ability-related accessibility are opening the workspace to everyone.
Another important aspect is simply having fun at work. Since the pandemic, many Australians are working more hours, which means that people stay longer in the office. As we mentioned earlier, the cultural aspect of the office is key for gen Zs and millennials, but as they work harder, they also want to have the opportunity to relax and engage in non-work-related activities. Office features such as game rooms, wellness rooms, yoga studios or even parents rooms will help businesses attract and retain the younger generation of talents.
Australia’s millennial generation is becoming the nation’s largest, and most of them have already integrated into the workforce. As our working styles change and our relationship with the workplace evolves, it’s decisive for businesses to adapt their workspaces, offerings and amenities to appeal and attract the younger generation of talent. Whether you call it ‘remote first’, ‘hybrid’ or ‘distributed work’, the younger generation really needs access to a truly connected workspace and suite of services allowing them to opt in or opt out based on their preferences.
