According to the latest research, there are currently four different generations working side by side in today’s offices - Traditionalists (born before 1945), Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964), Generation Xers (1965-80) and Millennials (1981-99). Different groups have varying expectations of work, and the organisations for which they work, and ensuring harmony amongst them is one of the biggest challenges facing organisations today.

The Steelcase Solutions team in Birmingham were joined earlier this month by leading Steelcase Workplace Consultant, Zoe Humphries, who dedicates her research to Generations at Work. Speaking to a gathering of architects, designers, facilities managers and businesses from around the West Midlands, Zoe shared her insights on emerging workplace trends, influences, and inspirations associated with different groups of workers. She also demonstrated how innovative workplace design can be used to create an office environment that allows everyone to work to their highest potential.

Local architect, Jon Edwards of Abacus Architects, a guest at the event said: "An essential part of a successful design process is the correct interpretation of the clients brief. During their recent seminar Steelcase demonstrated an innovative approach to this process by showing how the attitudes of an increasingly multi-generational workforce can influence workplace design”.

Designs created for PWC in Dublin offer a recent example of Steelcase approach to tackling ‘Generations at Work’. At the time PWC’s 1,800 professional workforce in Ireland was younger than ever: 62% of the workers were under age 30; another 24% were in their 30s; and just 14% were over 40. Working with the PWC employees Steelcase came up with new design concepts to support greater collaboration between junior and senior works.