From collaborative projects to flexible careers, millennials are setting new norms in work behaviour. But how can the workplaces themselves adjust to this?
We’ve already seen in our Work Report how the millennial generation are changing attitudes and behaviours to work. In our Generation Risk story, on page 50, we explain how many are pursuing greater independent in their careers. And in our Mind Your Business story, on page 76, we show how they are demanding more mindfulness at work in order to manage their over-whelming, always-on work demands.
The trouble is most of today’s workplaces aren’t cut out to accommodate these new work habits. And now the millennial worker has less faith in their employer’s ability to keep up with them. Last year work consultancy IdeaPaint found that 38% of millennials think their employer’s innovation process is being compromised by fusty collaborative practices. A further 74% say they would much prefer to collaborate in small groups.
Some work spaces are adapting, however. These offices are considering new millennial needs and transforming the rooms, furniture and interiors. Long gone are the days of grey cubicles and school dinner-style canteens.
