Is your organization or organizations you work with struggling to attract and retain young employees? Everyone is searching for that one differentiator in the race for talent - how to edge out competitors when vying for the best and brightest. Interestingly enough, many corporate employers we speak with at AECOM from the CEO to the HR recruiter often forget the importance of work environment and workplace design when “wooing” would-be job candidates.
When going on a job interview an applicant puts their best foot forward - dressing to impress, polishing their resumes and prepping for those anxiety-provoking, curveball interview questions. Are companies doing the same?
The newest generation of employees pose different challenges to recruiters. Millennials and Generation Z, who are just now entering the workforce, are vocal about their workplace priorities. Millennials will account for nearly 75% of the workforce by 2030 and their preferred work styles and priorities cannot be ignored. Priorities include work/life balance, flexibility, technology and transparency - subjects that matter to young job applicants but topics many companies still struggle to clearly define.
Workplace design is also a key consideration for young job-seekers when vetting employers. Recent grads have just spent 4-6 years on college campuses where study and work styles differ greatly from corporate America. Step foot on a college campus today and I guarantee it will look and feel much different than your typical office.
The definition of “work” is quickly changing with this new generation of worker. Rather than ask recent grads to conform and risk losing top talent, why not take planning cues from institutions of higher education?
Our prediction - collegiate design is the new driver for workplace design.
What is collegiate design? AECOM recently partnered with KI to host a variety of college campus tours with business leaders. We were able to extract key takeaways about work styles, space planning and implications for work while observing students and collegiate environments.