Younger Workers Want Office Return More Than Older Ones: Surveys

Surveys suggest that younger workers like millennials and Generation Zers may be more eager to return to the office than older employees, reports the Commercial Observer . Cushman & Wakefield's Future of Workplace poll indicates that about 70 percent of Gen Z and 69 percent of millennials cited challenges in working from home versus 55 percent of baby boomers. The key problem is finding space, as older workers are more likely to have dedicated residential workspace compared to younger generations — and less likely to have roommates and similar distractions. Moreover, younger workers are more likely to be caring for someone at home, such as older parents and/or younger children. "In contrast, baby boomers appear to be coping and adapting the best — reporting fewer challenges and positive workplace experiences," said Cushman & Wakefield. Meanwhile, a survey by architecture and design firm Gensler of 2,300 U.S.-based office workers at companies with at least 100 employees each made similar observations. Younger employees reported more distractions as well as less experience with working from home, complicating the maintenance of a life-work balance. Moreover, younger workers are missing out on mentoring and networking.