Our approach to work and views on creating workplace culture have transformed in recent years and this shift has largely been driven by Generation Z. Generation Z (people born between 1997 and 2012) is estimated to make up 25% of the global workforce by 2030.

This generation has been described in Forbes as having an understanding of technology and a progressive mindset that “sets them apart in a business climate increasingly dependent on digital innovation and cultural agility.” Gen Z’s forward-thinking mindset is shaping the workplace of the future. This ‘Gen Z Effect’ reflects how their values and desires are driving offices to become more purpose-driven and supportive of work-life balance.

For employers looking to attract and retain Gen Z, it means that their approach to talent has to consider the workplace more holistically. Gen Z expects jobs that offer growth and meaning, not just pay and titles. This shift is one of the most important developments in the workplace in recent years and if employers want to stay on top of the war for talent, they have to look at earning the loyalty and commitment of their staff by going beyond the regular expectations of work.

What is the stereotype of Gen Z in the workplace?

Gen Z has often been stereotyped as demanding, with exceptionally high expectations for their employers and workplaces. Media outlets, like the New York Post, have frequently portrayed Gen Z workers as being ‘entitled and too easily offended’ but claims like this are both inaccurate and damning to a generation of workers that will drive innovation in the future workplace.

There has also been the stereotype of Gen Z wanting to work from home and do their jobs from their bedrooms but a new Bupa survey has revealed that Gen Z are craving social interaction and that working from home is making them feel lonely and isolated. The survey found that 33% of the 8,000 respondents “were considering returning to full-time, traditional employment in the next five years.”

While Gen Z has been a bit of a scapegoat in recent years, the tide is turning and the office is showing itself to be a valuable asset in connecting workers from all generations.

We’ve always known that Gen Z is a driving force when it comes to embracing technology and innovation within companies so now it is time to move away from stereotypes and closely consider their ideas with the design of our workplaces.

Gen Z’s Top Motivators

An important factor you need to understand is what motivates Gen Z at work and what they want in the workplace. Salary remains a key motivator, but purpose and alignment with values are increasingly shaping how Gen Z evaluates career opportunities.

For Gen Z, a company’s mission must go beyond words on a wall in the office. They are looking for greater visibility on career paths, development, investment into business growth as well as more clarity on pay across the business. This mentality is fuelled by having meaningful work and contributing to a cause beyond simply being paid at the end of the month.

Deloitte’s 2025 Gen Z and Millennial Survey revealed that “purpose influences motivation, engagement, and according to 89% of Gen Zs and 92% of Millennials, it is important to job satisfaction and wellbeing.” This shows how integral purpose has become when searching for a job and also represents a shift in what companies must offer in order to attract and retain the best young talent available.

Where this shift in attitude becomes really important to businesses is that it marks a move away from the checklist of days gone by. Perks and benefits are always going to offer some level of appeal but companies can no longer paper over the cracks of poor culture or lack of purpose with gym memberships and cycle to work schemes. There is now an expectation that an organisation will stand for something bigger than itself and when that purpose can be displayed, and backed up through actions, it will attract Gen Z and keep them motivated to work for that company.

Key Office Features to Attract Gen Z

With so much attention being placed on getting people back into the office, a lot of the conversations have turned to how design can attract staff into the workplace. The office certainly has a role to play but you can’t rely on guesswork and to truly understand the features Generation Z want to see in the office, you have to engage with them. This is a selection of the top features we have observed as being popular with Gen Z based on some of our recent work.

Design that embodies values

A key aspect of office design that resonates with Gen Z talent is using the physical environment to embody company values and mission statements. Designing the workplace as a destination that brings these values to life delivers a powerful message to staff that helps build trust and alignment.

A successful way of demonstrating this with design is to consider the ‘vibe’ of the environment. An open plan, accessible office layout that incorporates diverse workspaces and promotes flexibility offers the most support to a younger workforce. The more traditional, cellular environments can be restrictive and create a negative experience at work.

Office design can also reflect values through the materials and products it uses. With sustainability and responsible procurement being so integral to our daily lives, Gen Z are looking to employers to make decisions that have a more positive impact on our environment. This includes things like the fabrics used in upholstery coming from recycled or natural materials, the consumption of energy throughout the office space and even smaller gestures such as providing waste streaming to promote recycling.

Integrating these types of features can be a really good way to back up claims around Net Zero and CSR commitments as staff can then live and breathe the company values in the office.

Wellbeing in the workplace

The office has become a space that has to do more to protect and maintain the wellbeing of the people working there. All staff, including Gen Z, are now changing their expectations on what the workplace can do for them in regard to their physical and mental wellbeing.

Wellbeing isn’t just a fad. We believe it is really important that wellbeing is considered in modern workplace policies so they can be executed efficiently and in a way that offers on-going support. This could be designed into the workplace in a number of ways that include built-in retreat and quiet areas that enable genuine wellness support. The benefit of offering better wellness facilities in the workplace is a reduction in absenteeism through stress related illness.

Designing for neurodivergent staff requires spaces with adjustable sound, lighting, temperature, and comfort levels. This means that you need to consider the lux levels within your office, which is the levels of light created through natural or artificial light. You also need to look at the access to biophilia and plants in the office, the options on ergonomic furniture you can provide and even into the levels of air quality and proximity to fresh drinking water in the office. Acoustic features and controls should also be considered. Even though some of these examples may seem more complex, workplace accreditations like FitWel and WELL are specifying these criteria.

These inclusions will be the types of features that appeal to the more wellbeing conscious Gen Z workers but they also benefit all staff. As the workplace continues to become increasingly diverse, you need to look at all the elements that can impact the way your staff feel at work and how to design a more beneficial workspace.

Integrating digital-first infrastructure

A feature that is closely linked to wellbeing at work and is shaping the way working environments are being designed is technology. The provision of technology, and how it is integrated into the workplace, is a key element of an effective workplace.

Technology giant HP explains how Gen Z is reshaping the world through technology and that “Gen Z employees report 43% higher productivity when using collaborative digital tools compared to traditional email-based communication.” As a generation, Gen Z are ‘digital natives’ and the way they use technology within their personal and working lives is seamless. This only puts more of a focus on the workplace to provide collaboration software tools, video conferencing capabilities and practical, fluid solutions that support a flexible environment.

With Gen Z more focused on collaborative and shared working, there is also a greater need for tools like digital whiteboards that allow groups to work together and share ideas. Creating these digital-first workplaces requires the correct infrastructure around it to enable the workspaces to function effectively.

Hybrid working requires offices designed for collaborative activities, with acoustics optimised to minimise disruption during calls and shared work. These features can be valuable additions around the workplace and can help to activate flexible working areas or specific meeting rooms to drive more collaboration.

Gen Z are shaping the future workplace

For employers seeking to attract and retain leading Gen Z talent, there has to be an acknowledgement that this generation of worker is motivated by more than just a salary at the end of the month.

It is clear that Gen Z are seeking workplaces that are built on purposeful work and reflect the values of the business but they also want to tap into the collaboration and social aspects of work to avoid the isolation that comes with working remotely.

This desire for connection is one of the most important factors to Gen Z at work and it must be reflected in the office design. Companies that align culture, design, and technology will drive engagement and create a destination workplace that enables creativity and innovation. Embracing Gen Z’s desire for purpose offers business leaders a chance to engage a generation that will shape the future of work.

If you’re interested in designing an office that will inspire Gen Z talent, our workplace experts can help: hello@calibroworkspace.com | +44 (0) 28 9442 5200