A new survey has revealed what the multi-generational workforce wants and expects from their employers.
The survey carried out by Moneypenny also identified what they value most in an employer, and whether these expectations are being met. It also explored the type of support different generations expect their employers to provide.
According to the study, employees have formed concrete ideas of what they expect from the workplace since Covid-19, and expectations vary depending on age. When asked which style of working most appealed to the UK’s office workers, (31%) favoured hybrid working, 19% full-time in the office, 19% working from home; 17% flexible working; and 13% preferring the four-day working week option.
WORKING STYLE PREFERENCES
By generation, hybrid working was the most popular working style with Xennials (35%), followed by Millennials (34%) and Generation X (31%). Baby boomers tended to lean more towards office working (27%), alongside 23% of Gen Zers.
Surprisingly, working from home wasn’t as popular as expected, but generally favoured by Xennials (25%) and Millennials (21%). Flexible working was most popular with Baby boomers (19%), whilst a four-day working week was preferred by Generation X (16%) and Gen Z (15%).
INVALUABLE OFFICE SUPPORT
The survey also asked workers what kind of help they would welcome the most from their employer, and whether they were currently able to access any free support. The top types of free support from employers included discounts for supermarkets and leisure activities, (52%); cashback schemes (31%); a company car (30%); gym membership (30%); financial advice (16%), onsite childcare (13%); and access to a life coach (9%).
An overwhelming majority said they would welcome discounts from their employer with around half of respondents from each generation supporting this form of assistance. Cashback schemes were favoured primarily by Xennials (37%), followed by Generation X (34%) and Millennials (34%).
With fuel prices continuing to fluctuate, a company car was the most popular form of assistance with baby boomers (37%). Gym memberships proved equally popular, with the most support coming from Millennials (34%) and Gen Z (32%). Other welcome assistance such as financial advice, on-site nursery and life coaching, were most favoured by Gen Z and Millennials.
LACK OF EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE
In terms of how many office workers had access to these forms of assistance, the results were disappointing. Half of the respondents said that they were not in receipt of any free help from their employer currently.
In fact, only 26% of workers said they were in receipt of discounts despite the fact that 52% wanted them. Only 12% said they received financial advice. Even fewer had access to a gym membership (10%) or cashback schemes (9%).
PREFERRED FREE ON-SITE BENEFITS
The survey also asked respondents which on-site facilities would be most important to them when working in the office. The most popular free on-site facilities included free car parking (47%); followed by free lunch (45%); free transportation to/from the office (26%); latest technology (19%); gardens/green spaces at work (18%); and dogs allowed at the office (14%).
Free parking was the most popular benefit for baby boomers (59%) and Xennials (50%). Access to free restaurants for employee lunches was another popular choice, with just under half of respondents from all generations supporting access to free on-site meals.
Company-paid transportation to/from the office was backed by mostly Gen Z (32%). Having access to the latest tech was favoured mostly by Generation X (27%) and the baby boomers (22%). Although a less popular free benefit, gardens and green spaces are mostly sought by Xennials (21%).
BIGGEST GENERATIONAL VARIATIONS
Although different generations tend to want different things in the workplace, there are more similarities than you would initially expect. The biggest generational variations were seen in the on-site facilities.
Older generations favoured free parking and up-to-date technology. However, younger generations wanted to see more progressive facilities and workplace perks, such as bringing their pet into the office and making green spaces for everyone to enjoy. The full results of the survey can be found here.
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