With millennials now comprising over 65 percent of the workforce, offices are being designed to adapt to their changing attitudes.
Working environments are being arranged to become more flexible and invite collaborations. Companies are investing in ergonomically-designed chairs and tables that support posture and prevent back problems and other occupational health risks, with the hope of decreasing turnover, boosting morale and improving output.
“Cool working” is the latest marketing buzzword that defines today’s work mindset and habits.
The term was coined in response to the millennial employee mindset that doesn’t recognize the relevance of long-term loyalty and climbing up the corporate ladder. This generation prefers balancing work and leisure to clocking overtime, and close-knit bonds with colleagues and bosses rather than bowing to hierarchy.
“Boomers and Gen-Xers were trained to be loyal. The millennials are constantly looking for the best place to work,” says Nenette Pangilinan Zipperich, co-owner of Boogi concept furniture store along Arnaiz Avenue in Makati.
She notes cubicles where employees kept to themselves are now giving way to open environments where younger employees prefer to share knowledge and work in any space where it’s comfortable for them.
To help create an environment that reflects today’s culture of open plan areas, communication, connectivity and teamwork, Boogi recently launched Actiu, a Spanish brand focusing on workspaces.
Zipperich says the company is trying to convince offices that investing in quality European furniture should not be limited to management, while the rank-and-file makes do with China-made products.
Michael Blanco, Actiu’s regional manager for Asia Pacific and New Zealand, says the Philippines is an emerging market that heavily uses a vertical organization structure, where hierarchy of ranks is most obvious. Flat organizations, in comparison, has less divisions between the management and staff.