Office Cubicles Are Things of the Past As Generation Y Favour Flexible Work Hours & Open Office Environments
London, UK (PRWEB UK) 18 February 2014 -- Since its inception, Stationery Planet has played an active role in understanding the various elements of the work environment, listening candidly to employees’ opinions, and conducting surveys as a platform to generate ideas for future change. This year 6,372 employees submitted input on the ideal work environment, office set-ups and what constitutes a professional business image. The participants were also asked to supply their date of birth and length of employment at their current company so that Stationery Planet could evaluate how the trends have changed over the last decade.
Companies with younger employees, those in the age bracket of 20-40, have moved away from private offices and cubicles and opted for less constrained spaces. These Generation Y employees require flexible open plan work spaces that encourage teamwork, hands-on training, and impromptu meetings that will help build inter-office networks and collaborative environments. This does not mean employees do not desire private work areas, just that dividing walls should allow greater visibility, not segregation.
These coming trends are on par with changes in the fields of interior designing and increased technology at work, which allows for greater creativity while remaining modern and efficient. New furniture designs utilise storage and management facilities for the wires and cables, along with individual plug outlets, wi-fi shortcuts and other cabling or data needs. Desks are becoming smaller as flat-screen monitors replace older models and laptops or tablet use increases.
Setting up modular ergonomic furniture that was easy to move, allowing flexibility and change in the office, saved company expenses by 27% while increasing employee productivity by 42%. Ideally 64% of participants desired a work environment that facilitated social interaction and greater learning opportunities with only 15% interested in the status or title of the job and 11% saying the monetary income was the most important aspect.
Since employees are a valuable asset to any company, their thoughts and opinions should be considered by the management when deciding on the best options in setting up office space. Investing in the right furniture, lighting, electronics and technology can go a long way in maintain a happier work force and in understanding the needs of the Generation Y.
About Stationery Planet
Stationery Planet (http://www.stationeryplanet.com) is a leading UK based retailer of office supplies, providing over 20,000 office supplies and stationery items at the lowest guaranteed price. The online office supplies retailer offers hundreds of well known brands at low prices with next day delivery as standard. Visit http://www.stationeryplanet.com for more information.
Planet Associates, Planet Ventures, http://www.planetventures.co.uk, +44 7909944586, [email protected]
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