Today’s workforce spans three generations: Baby boomers, Gen X and Millennials. Setting up an age-neutral workspace can be difficult, but is far from impossible. Today, conference room rental company 191 Works shares a look at how to make the workplace age-neutral.
-
Make the Decor Age Neutral — Choose decor that strikes a good balance between not looking “old-timey” but also not too “hip”; something that will be appreciated by someone in their early 20s, as well as by someone in their mid-50s. In addition to the decor and color palette, provisions such as bathrooms with grab bars and a lactation room can also be included.
-
Be More Flexible — Employers are becoming more flexible with employee work hours and locations. Thanks to the ubiquity of high-speed internet connections, many employees are now given the option to work at home, and more and more businesses are opting for hourly office rental setups at a convenient location. Such solutions strike the right balance between tradition and innovation, providing options that employees of all ages can be happy with.
-
Offer Group Training — Older employees have different strengths than younger ones. For example, their experience provides wisdom that can lead to smarter decision-making. On the other hand, younger employees tend to be better with technology, which is a huge advantage in today’s world. Hosting team training sessions, as opposed to individual training, can help foster collaboration and camaraderie across a multigenerational workforce, allowing employees from both ends of the age spectrum to share their knowledge. This can be a challenge for startups given the lack of a physical workspace, but it’s not a problem when you have an office rental space like 191 Works in the area.
-
Be Sensitive to Everyone’s Needs — Running a multigenerational business requires being sensitive to your employees’ needs. Employee feedback is important especially if you are not familiar with a particular age group’s needs. Foster an environment that allows employees to speak freely, without being perceived as someone who’s “rocking the boat” whenever they raise suggestions.
191 Works is your leading provider of meeting room rentals in Westport. Give us a call at (203) 405-0005 or fill out our contact form.
