Survey Reveals Younger Generation Prefers Old-School Work Environments

Gen Y (or Millennials) perfer old school work environments.

Career Edge Organization wants you to forget everything you think you know about Generation Y.

The group recently surveyed more than 1,100 members of Gen Y (or Millennials) from across Ontario, born in the mid-1980s or later. The poll asked them about their preferences for ideal workplaces and work conditions, and the results may surprise you.

When asked about their preferred workplace layout, 34% of respondents chose a “formal office structure with cubicles for entry level employees.” Roughly a third of those surveyed (32.7%) answered work environments weren’t important to them. 25% opted for open concept offices, with 9% saying they prefer an unstructured workplace with no assigned workstations.

When it comes time for payday, about 36% of respondents said they prefer a standardized salary system, based on regular industry surveys and pay scales. Another 34% would rather work on “merit-based pay” that reflects their performance.

Perhaps the most surprising answers came when Gen Y was asked about business attire. When asked about dress codes, 56% of respondents chose “business casual – no jeans,” whereas only 13% chose “casual” attire that includes jeans. 9% answered “formal” office attire, with a traditional suit and tie.

Roughly half of those surveyed were aged 22-to-25, and the rest were 26 to 29-years-old. The group was made up of 61% female and 39% male respondents. In terms of their current work situation, 63% of the group held at least an undergraduate university degree, while only 46.5% said they were currently employed.