Generation Y and the Workplace Annual Report 2010 - Haworth

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Figure 30: Preferred style in the workplace per age group and country
Figure 31: Colours on the wall – 18-25 yrs old, all countries
Overall, the generation Y tends to prefer subtle, relaxing and
clinical colours on the wall, contrary to common belief that this
generation is extravagant in their style.
Global WorkPlace Innovation
We can observe greater variations of
choice per gender as 54% of female
would like a modern interior against
39% of male. It is also interesting to
see that 17% of men would prefer
a minimalist working environment
against only 7% of women. Women
have also a tendency to prefer more
natural finished than men.
No matter how much time and
effort you put into making the
quality of the surroundings,
it’s the mood created by
the workers which make the
workplace. A happy workforce
is a better one!
Alex, 1988
Figure 32: Style per gender - 18-25 years old
The style they aspire to see in their office is modern and contemporary rather than minimalist and
classic. These results are actually comparable to other age group and a general trend across the data
sample we collected.
Figure 33: Finishes per gender – 18-25 years old
The level of finishes is something we notice very easily when entering any workplace and clearly
it matters to the generation Y. They prefer more natural and soft finishes and do not aspire to see
industrial, cold rough finishes like tiles, concrete or the old vinyl type of floors. The Chinese are the
most attracted to hard surfaces like tiles, but by only 11% of the 18-25 years old. The Indian Generation
Y is keen on soft finishes like carpets with 35% preferring it against only 28% of the UK 18-25 years old.
60% of the US 18 to 25 years old prefer natural finishes like wood against 40% of the Chinese.
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Intellectual Property Johnson Controls, Haworth and iDEA.
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