For the last 2½ years, it was COVID. Now it’s competitive employment. These are issues of growing concern for companies in this economy. Companies want to be housed in areas that are attractive to employees, to lure them from their homes, and to bring back the essence of teamwork and meetings. And a big part of this is how to attract millennials, who are accounting for a greater share of the workforce. Facility managers will need to incorporate features in an office’s design and operations to attract millennials. For most designers and managers, this will represent a different way of thinking as younger people have grown up with different ways of approaching information and communication and have different expectations about the work environment than the rest of us. If facility managers do not change to please them, their tenants can lose staff which could put them at a disadvantage and encourage them not to renew their lease and go elsewhere, affecting the building owner’s bottom line.

Not that I am an expert, but here are several things you can do to make your older building more attractive to younger workers.

Technology.  Millennials are the most technologically advanced generation ever, growing up using technology at their fingertips. Thus, they want to see more automated features in the buildings in which they spend time. Consider investing in technology to automate office processes to attract and please younger workers, such as temperature and lighting sensors to keep building areas in use comfortable and well-lit, while not wasting energy in unused areas. Of course, this will also save the building owner energy costs. Remember:  Energy efficient equipment is great but using no energy (when it’s not needed) is even more cost effective.

And one more thing: Think Indoor Air Quality.  Millennials seem to have a thing about indoor air quality (IAQ). Perhaps they’ve been around a lot of schools and homes with poor IAQ. So invest in improving your building’s IAQ and have data to show what you’re doing. Invest in UV lighting, bipolar ionization, or HEPA filters on your HVAC equipment as technology to demonstrate a healthier building environment.

Lighting.  Millennials certainly know and want efficient LED lights. But they’re also more attuned to light that imitates their natural, circadian lifestyle. LED lights exist that imitate the natural daily cycle with light in the blue hue range in the mornings changing to a yellow hue later in the day. Doing research on lights (including allowing natural light into office space, when feasible) that imitate rhythms can improve staff health, energy, and productivity, making the tenant happier and more likely to renew.

And one more thing: De-Lamp.  With LED lamps saving so much electricity, there is a temptation to just put in more lights. But too much lighting can cause glare and stress. Attempt to identify not just underlit, but overlit areas, too, and take out some lights.

Sustainability.  Polls show an overwhelming majority of millennials want to work for companies that care about the environment. Unlike previous generations, they know more and want to be see not public relation statements. Sustainable items like a green roof, solar panels, or EV charging stations are features things that can be implemented even into older buildings to show millennials that the building is in tune with current trends. And of course, these items will also save energy costs, such as reduced cooling and maintenance costs with a green roof. Millennials are a major part of the growth in electric car sales. EV charging stations may make them want to come to the office.

And one more thing: Green Cleaning. The rate of asthma has grown and is one of the great medical issues affecting Millennials. Although the cause for asthma is unknown, reducing the use of harsh chemicals in office cleaning will likely make Millennials feel better, both physically and psychologically.

Diverse Things To Do.  Millennials so want the workplace to have a similar feel to their homes. Having a gym onsite and/or a well-landscaped space to take a walk can help attract young people to a building. Having a diverse cafeteria or kitchen, offering healthy snacks, salads for lunch, and cappuccino and latte will also satisfy Millennials. Whey these are investments in space usage, they can help retention. Here’s an inexpensive upgrade, which I used many years ago: a table just for puzzles (jigsaw, word games, etc.). It was great to take a break from the computer where I stressed out over a report to go for a few-minute break to put a few pieces in a puzzle or figure out some words.

And one more thing: Get ‘em out of their chairs.  Try to put coffee stations, kitchens, printers, etc. far away from most workers, if possible. Get employees to get up from their chairs, walk a bit to get their lattes, snacks, etc. Walking is good and, of course, the chance to meet people, even from other departments, for good exchanges.

CCES has the experts to help you improve your office or commercial space to make your staff – whatever age – and customers and clients more comfortable and productive. Contact us today at karell@CCESworld.com or at 914-584-6720.