TORONTO – The ideal collaborative environment often changes as employees age, but with five generations sharing Microsoft Canada’s office, human resources vice president Cherise Mendoza considers it a professional obligation to provide all of them.
Microsoft Canada vice president of human resources Cherise Mendoza (far right) speaks on a panel during Work ReWorked, a Jan. 18 event at the Steelcase WorkLife Centre in Toronto.
During Work ReWorked, an event cosponsored by Microsoft and office furniture company Steelcase held at the latter’s Toronto-based Steelcase WorkLife Centre on Jan. 18, Mendoza said that rather than focusing on one type of collaboration, Microsoft Canada prefers to offer its employees a flexible approach, one that’s constantly re-evaluated for potential improvement.
For example, contrary to the stereotype she said it’s millennials that frequently want to collaborate in person and work in teams, while boomers prefer the flexibility of collaborating remotely while working from home.
“I think part of it is where they are in life – many are parents, so being able to come into the office only when they need it is really important,” said Mendoza, a parent of four who typically works from home at least once a week herself.
“Part of it is helping my kids feel like suddenly the week isn’t so long,” she said. “But I also find it’s a nice reflection point, actually having some me time to think about if I need to start planning something, or what feedback I need to give my business clients or employees.