Generation Y and the Workplace Annual Report 2010 - Haworth

Figure 29b: Environmental requirements for the workplace per industry sector, 18-25 years old
If we look closely to the 18-25 years group per country, we can notice some differences, but overall, the
generation Y is expecting a green deal from their employer and evidence of environmental solutions
within their working environment. However we can notice that, compared to the average global sample,
a significantly high percentage of Chinese 18-25 years old (7% against 4% for the global result) are
actually only expecting their employer to be compliant with the environmental legislation and not go
beyond minimum compliance.
Green policies in the workplace do matter and we can observe some differences per industry sector.
The Art & Design industry is more sensitive to green issues at work compared to the Media, Marketing
& Communications Industry and Engineering Industry, with 99% of the respondents in this industry and
between the ages of 18-25 years old who want obvious evidence of green policies in the workplace.
Finance is the industry sector the most looking for employers above environmental compliance, while
the Media and Engineering sectors want workplace which exhibit greener policies than others.
What are we looking for in the workplace?
70.3% want to have recycling bins
47.4% want a water saving devices
52.7% want stand by devices on all electrical equipment
71.6% want to share printers in the office
47% want solar panels on site
Preferences for an environmentally focused working environment are very strong; not only in the
physical aspects of the workplace, but also in their way of working: flexible working, travel patterns etc,
as we noticed earlier.
Recommendations
Employers must go beyond minimum environmental compliance
Evidence of green solutions in the workplace are required
Employers must embrace green policies in the day-to-day organisational activities
The older generations are even more focused on having a environmentally workplace than the
younger generation
All generations are looking for a green deal at work
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