Staples Business Advantage 2016 Workplace Index
Reveals Generational Preferences in the Office and how Employers
can Improve Happiness and Productivity
One generation stands out as being more motivated at work by a
sense of purpose, and it’s not who you might think. Surprisingly,
Baby Boomers (46 percent) and Generation X (32 percent) are more
motivated by having a sense of purpose at work than their younger
Millennial counterparts (24 percent), according to the Staples
Business Advantage 2016 Workplace Index.
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The Staples Business Advantage 2016
Workplace Index reveals generational preferences in the office and
how employers can improve happiness and productivity. (Graphic:
Business Wire)
For the first time, employers are faced with managing five
generations in the workplace – Generation Z (under 18 years old),
Generation Y/Millennials (18-33 years old), Generation X (34-50
years old), Baby Boomers (51-70 years old), and in some cases even
the Greatest Generation (over 70 years old). Each age group is
inspired and motivated by different things, so it’s critical for
employers to avoid stereotypes and understand what their employees
are looking for at work.
“The second annual Staples Business Advantage Workplace Index
uncovers different challenges companies need to consider when
managing the growing multi-generational workplace,” said Neil
Ringel, executive vice president, Staples Business Advantage, North
America. “To attract and retain top talent, organizations must be
aware of what each generation uniquely needs to be happy and
productive.”
It’s particularly important for employers to be in tune with
workers’ needs as the three most prevalent generations in the
workplace today – Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers – feel overworked
and burned out. Fifty percent of Millennials, 47 percent of Gen X,
and 35 percent of Boomers say burnout is motivating them to look
for another job. To improve burnout, Boomers would like their
employer to decrease their workload and provide more time to
complete tasks, while Gen X and Millennials are aligned and looking
for a more flexible schedule and work-life blend.
Motivation and InspirationWhile Boomers are most
motivated by having a sense of purpose at work, followed by salary,
Gen X and Millennials both rank salary as their top motivator. Up
next for Gen X was a sense of purpose, while Millennials listed
passion as number two.
The ability to work from home is crucial for Millennials, as
they’re most inspired to work in the comforts of their home.
However, Millennials are outliers in this aspect, as Gen X and
Boomers prefer a traditional workplace and are most inspired at
their desk in the office.
Physical Office Space and DesignAesthetics in the office
are key to workers regardless of age, as 51 percent of Millennials,
44 percent of Gen X, and 33 percent of Boomers would like to see
more attention paid to office design in their workplace.
All three generations agree that they're most interested in
natural light in the office. Other top design features that
interest Boomers and Gen X are private spaces and ergonomic
furniture, while Millennials are particularly interested in
standing desks and lounge areas.
Additionally, Boomers and Gen X prefer fully enclosed office
spaces or cubicles, while Millennials prefer open floor plans.
Employers should factor this into office design plans so the
workplace caters to everyone’s needs and promotes productivity.
Flexible spaces appear to be key to meeting all expectations.
Wellness and ProductivitySeventy percent of Millennials,
62 percent of Gen X, and 51 percent of Boomers say the availability
of a wellness program is a selling point when looking for a new
job.
In a wellness program, Boomers are first looking for ergonomic
furniture and supplies, followed by fresh food and an on-site gym.
Gen X and Millennials prioritize fresh foods, then on-site gyms and
fitness tracking wearable devices.
Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers all agree they can’t get up from
their desks to take a break because they have too much work to do.
However, nearly 80 percent of each generation agrees that taking a
break makes them feel more productive throughout the day. Employers
can encourage workers to take breaks by providing comfortable
breakrooms fully stocked with snacks and drinks so employees can
relax and recharge.
“It’s promising that all generations said they think working in
a five generation workplace is more fun, creative, inspiring,
trusting, and fosters an environment of learning,” said Jacob
Morgan, best-selling author of The Future of Work, Futurist, and
Co-founder of the Future of Work Community. “Managing five
generations poses a challenge for employers, and as Gen Z continues
to enter the workplace in larger numbers, it’s critical for
organizations to ensure they understand their workforce’s
needs.”
MethodologyThe Staples Business Advantage 2016 Workplace
Index was conducted online among 3,105 employees in the U.S. (936
were classified as general officer workers and 1,059 as business
decision makers) and Canada (468 general office workers and 642
decision makers) by Morar Consulting in March 2016. This survey has
a margin of error of +/- 1.8 percent at 95 percent confidence
limits.
For additional resources, including an executive summary and
shareable infographics and slideshare, please visit:
staplesadvantage.com/sites/workplace-index and
hub.staplesadvantage.com.
About Staples, Inc.Staples
retail stores and Staples.com help small business customers make
more happen by providing a broad assortment of products, expanded
business services and easy ways to shop, all backed with a lowest
price guarantee. Staples offers businesses the convenience to
shop and buy how and when they want - in store, online, via mobile
or though social apps. Staples.com customers can either buy online
and pick-up in store or ship for free from Staples.com with Staples
Rewards minimum purchase. Expanded services also make it easy for
businesses to succeed with in-store Business Centers featuring
shipping services and products, copying, scanning, faxing and
computer work stations, Tech Services, full-service Print &
Marketing Services, Staples Merchant Services, small business
lending and credit services.
Staples Business Advantage, the business-to-business division of
Staples, Inc., helps mid-market, commercial and enterprise-sized
customers make more happen by offering a curated assortment of
products and services combined with deep expertise, best-in-class
customer service, competitive pricing and state-of-the-art
ecommerce site. Staples Business Advantage is the one-source
solution for all things businesses need to succeed, including
office supplies, facilities cleaning and maintenance, breakroom
snacks and beverages, technology, furniture, interior design and
Print & Marketing Services. Headquartered outside of Boston,
Staples, Inc. operates throughout North and South America, Europe,
Asia, Australia and New Zealand. More information about Staples
(NASDAQ: SPLS) is available at www.staples.com.
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Staples, Inc.Mark Cautela,
508-253-3832Mark.Cautela@Staples.com
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