Abstract:
The purpose of the study is to determine the influence of the Y-generation students’ preferences on office layout and how important the workplace is in attracting, recruiting and retaining Generation Y workers. The objectives of this study revolves around Generation Y’s preferences about their future workplace, what workspace design and technology they would like in the office, their travel preferences to work, how the workplace can contribute towards job satisfaction and other facilities they prefer to have access to on site. The research sample consisted of 334 students from the University of Pretoria. These participants were approached on a convenience basis as well as advertised via social networks to complete the survey online. A multi-dimensional data analysis to enable an accurate assessment of the specific objectives guided the study. This study enables a better understanding of Generation Y and what their workplace preferences entail. Businesses can gain an understanding of how they can use their real estate and facilities as strategic assets to attract and retain the Y-Generation talent pool. Social, demographic and economic changes are causing a severe skills shortage. People are attracted to workplaces where values are clearly communicated. Generation Y in particular is ready to engage with companies that provide the environments in which they will thrive. Workplace design is likely to become a strategic weapon in the battle to attract and retain scarce young talent in today’s increasingly competitive global economy. The results have shown that employers should keep up to the rapid technological growth and not fall behind. Companies should transform workplaces which allow for individual work, collaborative tasks and provide an environmentally green workplace – not only into its design, but also in the way employees work.
