Younger Generations Most Eager to Leave Home Office for the Workplace

• READ MORE: Jamie Dimon advises younger audience on why remote working isn't an option for them

While CEOs struggle to bring their staff back into the workplace following several years of remote work, an unexpected group is particularly keen to return.

Generation Z—those born between 1997 and 2012—are at the forefront according to fresh insights from property firm JLL.

The survey revealed that young employees go to the office 3.1 days per week, whereas older age groups visit between 2.5 to 2.7 days weekly.

A lot of Generation Z workers have experienced primarily remote or hybrid working arrangements, as they joined the professional world either during or following the pandemic.

Leading figures like JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon have alerted that remote work is hindering young employees' progress .

The younger cohort is suffering due to this," he stated in an unauthorized audio from a closed gathering. "They are lagging socially, missing out on exchanging thoughts, and not connecting with others.

For Lucy Blitz, a 22-year-old sports marketing agent, the workspace simplifies everything.

'I find it simpler to discuss issues directly with my colleagues and managers in person rather than using Slack, which I really dislike,' she says. told the Financial Times .

Johnnie Dowd, a 22-year-old strategy analyst, mentioned that one of the driving forces behind young employees going into the office is their residence in tiny apartments lacking suitable home workspaces.

"I mostly find myself slouching over my laptop, but at the office, I could work at a large desk equipped with multiple monitors and enjoy a perfectly controlled climate," Dowd said.

The younger employee additionally wishes to engage socially and be interactive. They believe that their ideal twenties should involve more than just staying at home for numerous video calls.

Nevertheless, even though Generation Z showed the highest enthusiasm for going back to the workplace, they still value having flexible options available.

The team indicated that they preferred approximately 2.6 days per week working in-person, instead of being present full-time.

Companies are increasingly implementing requirements for employees to be present at the office for a certain number of days.

Most recently, Google stated that numerous employees who were initially approved for remote work would now be required to come into the office at least three days each week.

If staff do not comply they will face losing their jobs, the company said last week.

Nevertheless, Bryan Berthold, who leads workplace experiences globally at Cushman & Wakefield, informed the Financial Times that such mandates can make employees feel untrusted.

"You've spilled the beans—it's similar to moving from high school to college, where nobody monitors you," he clarified.

The requirements feel akin to returning to high school. Trust is difficult to establish.

18 percent of Generation Z participants in a Deloitte poll stated that productivity had declined due to employer mandates.

In addition to private companies, the federal government is likewise involved. driving employees back to the workplace .

Numerous studies indicate that employees tend to be more productive, concentrated, and cooperative when they work in an office setting compared to working from home, according to a statement made by a White House spokesperson in January.

One of President Trump's main goals is to enhance efficiency within the federal government for the benefit of American taxpayers.

A desire to come back to the workplace could make employers think more positively about younger employees - following recent studies indicating this trend. Companies are letting go of Generation Z employees at an unprecedented rate. .

A survey by Intelligent.com In September, it was discovered that six out of every ten companies had already dismissed some of the college graduates they had initially employed in 2024.

Seven percent of employers stated they could potentially avoid hiring new college graduates in the following year due to encountering numerous issues with younger employees.

Executives expressed reservations about aspects like communication abilities and professional conduct when considering Generation Z for hire, making them hesitant.