Survey: Over half of Gen Z workers say they're more productive working from home

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Over half of Gen Z workers feel more productive working from home

34% of Gen Z workers believe their workplace does not allow them to focus effectively

The findings are the result of a survey conducted by Diamond Interiors and YouGov

A new survey has claimed Gen Z employees feel they’re at their most productive working from home, rather than in the workplace, flying in the face of those attempting to get people back into the office.

The Diamond Interiors report notes focusing on work is widely recognized as improving productivity, which might explain the challenge for Gen Z. Home can be quiet, distractions managed, and with the right setup, focused productivity can deliver early completion and potentially the option to finish work early. With a commute to a busy office, this may seem tougher to achieve.

With 53% claiming they feel more productive working from home rather than in the noisy office, the challenge here might not be so much getting people into the office, but what the office really represents.

20-somethings don’t like the office

Over the years, office-based environments have evolved, from closed rooms to open-plan operations, sometimes occupying an entire floor without walls. The noise – for instance in call centers – can be considerable, and the opportunities for distraction soon add up. Throw in the period of enforced remote working from 2020 to 2023, which may also have included a period of university study for Gen Z, and you have a generation that isn’t geared to handle distractions.

The report highlights that 53% of those surveyed in the Gen Z cohort believe that working from home makes them more productive, with 34% blaming the design of the workplace.

“These findings highlight an important challenge facing employers," noted Rebecca Waller, Head Of Design at Diamond Interiors. "While offices remain incredibly valuable for collaboration, many employees are telling us they do not always feel they have the right environment to focus on individual tasks.”

“In many cases, it is not necessarily because employees prefer being at 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 do we successfully move on from the office” – at least, not yet. Rather, it seems to be that offices don’t offer the level of comfort and focus that Gen Z employees need. As Waller says “It is not necessarily because employees prefer being at home, but because home environments often offer greater control over noise, interruptions, and comfort."

She highlights that workspaces need to support methods of working that suit everyone, with open-plan layouts balanced with quieter areas, environments that can avoid distractions. If employers expect Gen Z team members to produce their best work, it’s going to be a choice between home working and finding a workplace design that fosters productivity, not distractions.