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December 2021 \ BUILDING DIALOGUE \ 35 ELEMENTS Future Workplace working at the office at a desk not shared by others com- pared to just 25% of boomers who prefer primarily work- ing remotely but reserving a desk when they come into the office. Younger generations prefer having flexibility to work remotely over assigned desks at the office. About 70% of Gen Z, millennials and Gen X respondents prefer primarily working remotely – but when they come into the office, they prefer either a reserved desk or an on-de- mand work setting in common areas. About 30% prefer working in the office at a desk not shared with others. Of the four choices, team-based work settings for those with a remote work schedules was the least preferred option by Gen Z (4%), with 13% preference for millennial, Gen X and boomer respondents. Team-based work settings was most prevalent in the tech industry. • Third places are an important part of the new work- place ecosystem. As cities and workplaces open up in the future, Gen Z and millennial workers see third places such as coffee shops, libraries and parks as an import- ant part of their workday and where to get their work done. While older generations tend to see work locations as binary – home or the office, the younger generations have fully embraced the concept of “work anywhere.” Both third places and coworking places are increasing- ly preferred for a wide range of work activities. For ex- ample, younger generations prefer to think/ideate by themselves at the office, compared to boomers, who prefer to think/ideate at home. Younger generations are three times more likely to prefer third places to reflect or conceptualize than boomers, who overwhelming prefer home. Similar to top-performers, third places also are preferred by Gen Z for in-person feedback, to connect/socialize with colleagues, and for unplanned meetings, while the pref- erence for third places drops with age. Selecting leases that have third places nearby for employees to use or em- bedded into corporate campuses can provide variety and choice for top-performing companies and younger gener- ations alike. • Creating an empowered work experience. For compa- nies to compete in the current war for talent, it’s time to think beyond the workplace – to create an empowered work experience that will attract new talent and retain existing talent that is engaged, productive and creative. The best way to uncover your own organization’s poten- tial is to engage your people. We forecast that this next year will be one of experimentation, piloting new ways of working, testing new ideas and learning. As different functions work in different ways, there will not be a one- size-fits-all solution even across a single organization. It’s time to focus on creating an empowered work expe- rience based on choice and flexibility that is inclusive – recognizing generational differences and celebrating how we each work and what we all need to win the hearts, souls and minds of our people.\\ *Source: Gensler Research Institute jenny_west@gensler.com YOUNGER GENERATIONS HAVE A BROADER CONCEPTION OF THE OFFICE'S VALUE AND PRIORITIZE INDIVIDUAL PRODUCTIVITY HIGHER 1 7 3 5 2 8 4 6 Rank Millennial Gen X Boomer Gen Z Collaborate with my team 9 10 Collaborate with my team Collaborate with my team Collaborate with my team Share knowledge and best practices Access specific spaces, materials or resources Foster professional & personal relationships Maximize individual productivity Meet with clients Build social connections and fostering camaraderie Access the latest technology and tools Communicate shared mission, values, and culture Access to senior leaders/ decision makers Share knowledge and best practices Share knowledge and best practices Access specific spaces, materials or resources Access specific spaces, materials or resources Access specific spaces, materials or resources Foster professional & personal relationships Foster professional & personal relationships Foster professional & personal relationships Maximize individual productivity Maximize individual productivity Maximize individual productivity Meet with clients Meet with clients Meet with clients Build social connections and fostering camaraderie Build social connections and fostering camaraderie Build social connections and fostering camaraderie Access the latest technology and tools Access the latest technology and tools Communicate shared mission, values, and culture Communicate shared mission, values, and culture Communicate shared mission, values, and culture Access to senior leaders/ decision makers Access to senior leaders/ decision makers Inspire creativity and innovation Inspire creativity and innovation Be visible for promotion INYOUROPINION,THEPRIMARYPURPOSEOFTHEOFFICEISTO... 2021 U.S. WORKPLACE SURVEY SUMMER 2021 Gensler’s U.S. Workplace Survey Summer 2021 research