How to keep your company’s boomers happy by making the office Gen Z-friendly

The workforce is aging rapidly, but only 10% of companies have a strategy to retain mature workers. Since the 1980s, the number of workers aged 65 and older in the US has nearly quadrupled. Creating workspaces that cater to an aging workforce can benefit companies by saving on recruitment, training, and knowledge acquisition costs. Older employees have the most relationships with suppliers and clients, and possess the most institutional knowledge. However, most companies are not designing office spaces with older employees in mind, instead focusing on attracting younger workers and accommodating neurodivergent employees. Inclusive design, which provides better standards of design in the workplace, can benefit older workers, but also unintentionally accommodates the needs of neurodivergent and young workers. Design elements such as high-contrast analog signage, tactile cues, and landmark elements can help older workers navigate the workspace. Warm lighting, quiet spaces, and ergonomic equipment can also promote relaxation and reduce stress for older officegoers. Accommodating an aging workforce means creating a variety of workspaces that cater to different workstyles, which can ultimately benefit workers of all ages. Companies can avoid losing experienced workers by talking to them about their needs and building policies that reflect those needs.