Despite a world population of 1.174 billion young people between the ages of 15 and 24, it is estimated there are insufficient Generation Y workers for the future.
Oxygenz is a research project led by Global WorkPlace Innovation to understand how important the future workplace is to generations in the workplace. The research gathered information from 5,000 students at universities worldwide, and young employees from a range of professions since February 2008.
The aim is to understand which physical attributes of a workplace Generation Y most value, giving a valuable insight into multigenerational issues in the workplace of the future.
Oxygenz aims to understand how important the workplace is to Generation Y and what factors employers, designers, facilities managers need to take into account.
According to the findings, 18-25 year-olds view the office as an extension of their home life, impacting the demands on employers requiring leading talent to stay competitive.
Sustainability is also highly valued with 96% desiring an environmentally-friendly workplace, but not at the expense of design. Growing up in a world where good design has become increasingly affordable, the Generation Y workforce expects their workplace to reflect their own ‘city crash pads', with a contemporary feel so they expect break-out rooms and coffee shops on site.
They are also the first generation with little memory of a pre-web world and having the latest technology in their workplace is simply expected.
Walking to work is the most popular choice among UK respondents, suggesting a preference for an urban life with work and home in close proximity. Three quarters (73%) of UK respondents would prefer to work in an urban setting.
Millennials prefer a flexible working environment, including the option to work remotely and 82% of UK respondents prefer to work in a mobile way.
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