Millennials and digital go hand-in-hand. The last decade has seen a surge in technology, that millennials have become accustomed to using in their everyday lives – let alone the workplace. 

As digital and technology has evolved, so has the way in which we work - millennials playing a huge part in that. The methods of the “traditional” workplace have been questioned, with the saying “work smarter, not harder”. The need to be “accessible” is a necessity for millennials and technology is at the forefront of their social activities. 

The options available to millennials in terms of how and where they work are endless. From being an online vlogger in your living room, to having an online business, being an entrepreneur or a start-up owner. There are a range of possibilities. 

You do not necessarily have to be in an office 24/7 to conduct your job duties – remote work over the past year has shown that. However, there are preferences as to how employees in a workforce will choose to work. According to InstituteIn, it was predicted that by 2020, the generation born between 1980 and 2000, will comprise more than 50% of the UK workforce. 

Millennials and technology 

The pandemic provided millions of workers with a different way of working, using modern technology to communicate and collaborate effectively. Millennials were the generation that managed to adjust to life working abroad, due to their efficiency with technology. Working remotely allows them to have access to all the information they need, anywhere, anytime. They are used to communicating using various technology and platforms, and there’s an expectancy for their work lives to be the same. 

Post-pandemic, businesses have a challenge to be able to accommodate millennials with flexible options for hybrid working arrangements. 

The conveniency of working from home cannot be overlooked, millennials are becoming used to accessing the outside world from their homes. Texting has become a popular option for communication rather than phone calls. 

Which workplace trends can we expect from millennials?

Conferencing technology here to stay – There’s no doubt that conferencing calls have been a popular and somewhat, the only option for remote workers over the last year; and it has been a success. 

More than 51% of the employees take work from home on Video calls. As businesses contemplate whether to go back to the office full time, or implement flexible working initiatives, there is a need to find a way employees can communicate effectively without being at the office. Of course, communication can be conducted by email or phone call, but if you can see the person you are  communicating with, the conversation is bound to go more smoothly. 

Conference room scheduling to become the norm? – Face-to-face meetings are the preferred option for most people, but once you experience the benefits that come from working remotely, it only makes sense to use the technology when necessary. As millennials look to come back to the office, it could take a bit of time to get used to working back in the environment. Businesses may also want to make sure office space isn’t overcrowded. If you’ve got a lot on your plate and have trouble scheduling time for meetings and meeting rooms, teem could be the software you need to help you schedule your conferences. 

Increasing Automation – As mentioned before, millennials have embraced technology and are using it to their fullest. By implementing applications and technology to accommodate projects and the working schedule, millennials will delegate as much as possible to AI. Artificial Intelligence is becoming part of the workplace, a very welcome addition for millennials. 

Flexible working hours – Flexible working is a must for millennials going forward. Millennials that have childcare or other responsibilities will need to work around this, which is not easy. Flexible hours allow them to take care of both work and personal duties, without disruption to their working schedule. 

According to the Institute of Leadership & Management, it was predicted that by 2020, millennials will comprise more than 50% of the UK workforce. Businesses will face a demand to accommodate their millennial workers. A respectful culture, collaborative workforce and overall a tech-driven workplace are all important elements of a digital workplace millennials can thrive in.