Two-thirds (66 per cent) of Millennials will be loyal to companies that invest and improve the office environment
More than a quarter of British workers (27 per cent) say Brexit has already had a negative impact on their company with one in six (16 per cent) claiming Brexit uncertainty has seen their company reduce its investment in the workplace. The new survey from leading workplace consultants, Peldon Rose, also reveals however that over a third (39 per cent) of Millennials (25-34 years olds) will consider changing jobs if their company decreases workplace spending, and two-thirds (66 per cent) say they will be more loyal to companies that improve the office, suggesting employers must continue to invest in their working environments to retain top young talent.
Across the generations, of those who say their company has decreased investment in their workplace, a third (32 per cent) state company perks have or will be cut and nearly a quarter (23 per cent) say their company has or will postpone an office refurbishment to save money.
The survey suggests employers who value attracting and retaining the best young employees should be cautious about such ‘Brexit budgeting’ as investment in the workplace is particularly important for young workers; two-fifths (39 per cent) of Millennials and Generation Xs (aged 35-54) and a third (33 per cent) of Generation Zs (aged 18-24) claim they’ll consider changing jobs if workplace spending is cut vs only a fifth (20 per cent) of Baby Boomers (aged 55+). Companies that do invest will be rewarded by the loyalty of over half of their workers (53 per cent).
Survey Highlights:
- Brexit impact: The Millennials and Generation Xs have the least positive outlook, with 28 per cent stating that Brexit has had a negative impact on their company vs 23 per cent of Generation Zs and 20 per cent of Baby Boomers
- Job security: A third (34 per cent) of British workers surveyed are concerned about job security due to Brexit – particularly the nation’s Millennials (35 per cent) and Generation X’s, (38 per cent) who are significantly more worried than the office’s youngest and oldest workers – Generation Z (20 per cent) and the Baby Boomers (28 per cent)
- Staff retention: A third of workers would consider changing jobs if their company decreases its investment; Millennials (39 per cent), Gen Z (39 per cent), Gen X (33 per cent) compared to only a fifth (20 per cent) of Baby Boomers
- Loyalty: companies that invest and improve the workplace will have more loyal employees – overall, over half (53 per cent) would be more loyal, but this is particularly true of the Millennials (65.93 per cent) and Gen Zs (55 per cent). Followed by Gen X (50 per cent) and Baby Boomers (40 per cent)
- Workplace consultation: While over a third (38 per cent) of workers say their company has never consulted them about the office or analysed how people use the workplace, a similar number (38 per cent) state that their company has. Millennials and Generation Xs (40 per cent) are most likely to have been consulted
While it is clearly important for staff to continue to see investment in the workplace, in the current Brexit climate it is understandable that companies will want and need to do this cost effectively. Based on Peldon Rose’s expertise as workplace consultants and feedback from the survey, the firm has put together three simple-to-implement, budget-friendly steps businesses can take to make positive changes to the workplace to keep the workforce engaged and motivated:
Workplace evaluation
If your company is one of the 38 per cent that hasn’t consulted its workers about the office or analysed how it is used, now is the right time to conduct a workplace evaluation. Even a short audit of employees and observation study will help companies to see if the office environment is working well for staff and discover what they value the most. This helps companies ensure that they are not wasting money on things that staff don’t want or need. The evaluation will also uncover how efficiently businesses are using their space and if there are potential savings to be made.
Retain company perks
Wherever possible, retain company perks. Economising in this way feels personal to staff and sends out the message that staff wellbeing is not a priority. It also represents a false economy. Removing a coffee machine could save a few hundreds of pounds a year, whereas discovering that you can release underutilised office space could save tens of thousands of pounds a year.
Refurb or relocate
If your company has decided against an office relocation for the time-being, don’t abandon all plans to improve the office – analyse how you use your office space and consider refurbishing it instead. Can you use your space more efficiently or more effectively? If you need more space, investigate whether you could you sublet adjacent space, or redesign existing office space through smart working to accommodate more employees without the need for a move or more space.
Jitesh Patel, Chief Executive at Peldon Rose, the office design specialists commented:
“British employers need to ensure that their Brexit budgeting isn’t interpreted as a lack of confidence in their company, and that they are sending out the right, positive messages to their employees. Retention of top young talent is critical for organisational success and one of the most important issues for businesses today. The survey has shown that younger workers will be loyal to companies that invest in their workplace and smart businesses all now acknowledge that a great office environment is not a nice-to-have, it is a key employee retention and engagement tool.”
Rebecca joined the HRreview editorial team in January 2016. After graduating from the University of Sheffield Hallam in 2013 with a BA in English Literature, Rebecca has spent five years working in print and online journalism in Manchester and London. In the past she has been part of the editorial teams at Sleeper and Dezeen and has founded her own arts collective.
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