Gen Z, Coworking and Traditional Workspaces: All You Need to Know
As a new generation of young professionals trickles into the corporate world, they are overthrowing traditional work culture and stepping into a vibrant ecosystem where collaboration beats hierarchy, flexibility trumps routine, and good vibes are the ultimate perk. We’re talking about coworking, and for Gen Z in India, it’s not just a workspace – it’s a revolution.
India’s Gen Z – born between the late 1990s and the early 2010s – is digitally well-acquainted, hyper-connected, and fiercely independent. The vast majority of Gen Z was either educated or started their careers during the pandemic in early 2020, making atypical working conditions a norm – this could explain their outgrowing traditional workspaces and work culture.
What Gen Z expects from a workplace
- Workplace diversity: The new generation has the ability to stay connected globally at their fingertips, being exposed to different walks of life from a comparatively young age; Gen Z yearns for a diverse workplace that welcomes people from all socio-economic, racial, ethical and religious backgrounds as well as people of varying ages with a wide range of experiences.
- Flexible work arrangements: While many “Baby Boomers” might prefer the traditional 9 to 5, according to “The Future of Time, “Gen Z might not be as productive during traditional work hours. Surveys show that 26% of Gen Z prefer to work late hours, with typical productive hours being 6 pm to 3 am.
- Hybrid-work model: They value the experience of working in a public space, surrounded by other people, and the energy that comes with it. It also allows them to break the monotony of daily work. This preference for working in public spaces also demonstrates Gen Z’s need for a hybrid work model. They want the flexibility to choose where and when they work, whether from home, a café, or the office. This model allows them to achieve a better work-life balance, reduce commute time, and increase productivity. By having the option to work in public spaces, they can also expand their social network and build connections that can benefit them both personally and professionally.
- Body doubling: Sharing a workspace with others doing work results in a fascinating phenomenon called body doubling. The presence of others working in the same space can create a sense of accountability and motivation to stay on task and avoid distractions. Moreover, body doubling can also help reduce the feeling of isolation that can come with remote work. Body doubling can be an effective way to increase productivity while enjoying the benefits of social interaction. It provides an opportunity to build a sense of community, share experiences, and learn from others.
- Convenience: Generally, a vast majority of Gen Z has a “go-getter” mindset and prefers to dive headfirst into new projects; they do not prefer spending time on arranging and setting up utilities before beginning work, especially if they only require the space for a few hours, days or months. This can also explain the popularity of café culture: food and beverages are at arm’s length, and utilities like electricity, water, functional restrooms and high-speed internet are already arranged for. Thus, this generation of young professionals highly favours coworking spaces that are fully serviced and provide everything they need.
- Sustainability: Gen Z grew up educated about social issues such as climate change; hence, they prefer work spaces that, for example, work towards reducing their carbon footprint as a means of contributing to sustainability in the corporate world. By choosing sustainable workplaces, Gen Z can align their workplace with their values and thus prefer shared workspaces where utilities are used communally, and where waste is minimised.
Why Coworking is the future of Gen Z
- Fostering community: Forget water cooler chit-chat – Gen Z craves meaningful connections. Coworking spaces foster a sense of belonging, with networking events, workshops, and social gatherings creating a vibrant microcosm. This not only expands professional networks but also builds friendships and a sense of shared purpose – crucial for a generation that prioritises social impact and collaboration.
- Affordability: Roughly 50% of Gen Z is interested in starting their own business, making a vast majority of these young professionals start-up owners, solopreneurs and small business owners. Affordability is crucial as it means Gen Z entrepreneurs and freelancers can access high-quality infrastructure without breaking the bank, freeing up resources for pursuing their passions and scaling their businesses.
- Amenities and technical integration: Serviced coworking spaces are tech havens loaded with amenities such as blazing-fast Wi-Fi, cutting-edge software, ergonomic workstations, snacks and beverages and utilities like electricity and water arranged for. As rent is typically all-inclusive, Gen Z prefers this due to convenience and ease. This tech-savvy infrastructure caters to Gen Z’s digital fluency and allows them to work, collaborate, and innovate seamlessly.
- Ambience and vibe: The traditional workspace is often monotonous, not expressive, and rather dull, leading to a lack of creativity and innovation. In comparison, coworking spaces are designed to be vibrant and dynamic, which stimulates creativity and encourages innovation. This atmosphere helps Gen Z stay motivated and focused on their work, ultimately increasing productivity. For Gen Z, the ambience and vibe of a workspace play a critical role in their productivity and overall job satisfaction. Traditional workspaces often lack the aesthetic appeal that Gen Z seeks in their work environment. Coworking spaces offer a unique aesthetic experience not found in traditional workspaces. They are designed to be creative, inspiring, and welcoming, which creates a positive atmosphere for the workers.
Bottom line
Coworking spaces are the future of work for Gen Z in India. This new generation of professionals seeks a diverse and flexible workplace that fosters community, prioritises sustainability, and provides all the amenities they need to work, collaborate, and innovate seamlessly.
If you’re a Gen Z professional in India looking for workspaces in cities such as Gurgaon, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, Pune, Indore, Jaipur and Lucknow, amongst others, that align with your values and needs, Qdesq meets all your needs with hundreds of listings on our website – find serviced office spaces, virtual offices, meeting rooms, private offices and coworking spaces tailored perfectly to your needs!
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