- More than half of Gen Z workers feel more productive working from home
- 34% of Gen Z workers believe their workplace does not allow them to concentrate effectively
- The findings are the result of a survey conducted by Diamond Interiors and YouGov.
A new survey has claimed that Gen Z employees feel they are more productive working from home, rather than in the workplace, which flies in the face of those trying to get people back into the office.
The Diamond Interiors report notes that focusing on work is widely recognized as improving productivity, which could explain the challenge for Generation Z. The home can be quiet, distractions controlled and, with the right setup, focused productivity can offer early completion and potentially the option to finish work sooner. With a daily commute to a busy office, this may seem more difficult to achieve.
With 53% saying they feel more productive working from home than in a noisy office, the challenge here might not so much be getting people to the office, but what the office actually represents.
Twenty-somethings don’t like the office
Over the years, office environments have evolved from closed rooms to open-plan operations, sometimes taking up an entire floor without walls. The noise (for example, in call centers) can be considerable and the opportunities for distraction soon increase. Add to this the period of mandatory remote work from 2020 to 2023, which may also have included a period of college study for Generation Z, and you have a generation that is not prepared to handle distractions.
The report highlights that 53% of Gen Z respondents believe working from home makes them more productive, and 34% blame workplace design.
“These findings highlight a significant challenge facing employers,” said Rebecca Waller, design director at Diamond Interiors. “While offices remain incredibly valuable for collaboration, many employees tell us they don’t always feel like they have the right environment to focus on individual tasks.”
“In many cases, it’s not necessarily because employees prefer to be home, but because home environments often offer greater control over noise, interruptions and comfort.”
Is this the end of the office?
The big question isn’t “how can we successfully leave the office?”, at least not yet. Rather, it appears that offices don’t offer the level of comfort and focus that Gen Z employees need. As Waller says, “It’s not necessarily because employees prefer to be at home, but because home environments often offer greater control over noise, interruptions, and comfort.”
It highlights that workspaces should support working methods that suit everyone, with open layouts balanced with quieter areas and environments that can avoid distractions. If employers expect Gen Z team members to produce their best work, there will be a choice between working from home and finding a workplace design that encourages productivity, not distractions.
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