Researchers have revealed which office essentials Generation Z Mancunians want with flexible working hours (51%), getting a day off on your birthday (47%), free snacks (25%), subsidised lunch (23%), and a good coffee machine (23%).
According to the research by office delivery and catering company, Feedr, food is a big must have for 18- to 29-year-olds in Manchester with 48% expecting employers to offer some sort of office food perk such as a dedicated area for eating (49%), regular lunches and dinners out (31%), a good coffee machine (25%), cakes and treats on offer (25%), free fruit (17%) and cakes and pastries on a Friday (15%).
Breakfast or lunch laid on once a week (17%), plant-based milks for tea and coffee (10%), office pizza afternoons (9%), gluten or dairy free snacks (7%) and vegan food options for meetings (4%) all featuring among must-haves for today’s modern Mancunians at work.
Linda Blank, COO, Feedr, which conducted the research said: “There has been a lot of negativity around Gen Z’s expectations of work, however, they are the future workforce and it’s important to understand what matters to them. The research shows that young people want to feel supported, valued and respected in the workplace by employers who understand the benefits they want and value, from nutritious food to access to mental health support. Listening to employees and reacting to their needs can go a long way in attracting & retaining top talent and supporting a great employee experience.”
In fact, more than two thirds (69%) of Manchester’s Gen Zs believe that a happy and zen working environment is more important than a massive salary, with more than half (58%) saying that better nutrition and mental health perks are more important than old school benefits such as laptops, company cars and pension plans.
66% agree that workers today have different expectations of benefits than previous generations did, 62% of modern Mancunians agreeing that young people can be unfairly judged for having high standards when it comes to their job and working environment.
44% admit that their parents or older people continually roll their eyes or don’t take them seriously when they express a desire for certain perks or standards in a place of work. So it’s no surprise that more than half (58%) of 18- to 29-year-olds agree that older Mancunians just don’t understand why attractive working packages are so important to them.
A whopping 89% believe that employers need to be more creative in terms of the working environment and perks that they offer, if they want to keep people happy in the modern age. One in three (32%) admit that lunch is the highlight of their working day, with 81% saying that it is important for them to have access to healthy meals at work. A third (32%) would like staff to have lunch together, while 29% would like bosses to lay on staff food once in a while and 20% want varied meeting food
Nearly half (43%) admit they get bored of having the same thing for lunch at the office every day, and would love to be munching on burritos (37%), noodles (35%) and sushi (30%) instead. Fresh fruit such as strawberries (2925 pineapple (21%) and fresh mango (16%) also feature among young Mancunians idea of the most exciting office eats, alongside curries (27%), stuffed pitta breads (19%), Greek salad (14%) and poke bowls (9%).
Asked which office lunch they would consign to history, modern Mancunians would banish prawn sandwiches (30%), tuno mayo sandwiches (28%), cheese and pickle sandwiches (26%) and sausage rolls (23%). A fifth (21%) would like to see the end of instant noodles and microwave meals.
GENERATION Z’S TOP 35 WANTS FROM A JOB IN MANCHESTER:
| Flexible hours | 50.6% |
| Getting your birthday off work | 46.9% |
| Working from home at least twice a week | 31.9% |
| Gym membership | 26.3% |
| Free snacks | 25.6% |
| Subsidised lunch | 23.1% |
| A good coffee machine | 23.1% |
| A relaxed dress code | 22.5% |
| Private health insurance | 20.6% |
| A travel card | 19.4% |
| Fresh fruit | 16.9% |
| Breakfast or lunch laid on once a week | 16.9% |
| Friday afternoons off | 15.0% |
| Office cakes and pastries on a Friday or select days | 15.0% |
| Fun team away days | 14.4% |
| Cycle to work scheme | 13.1% |
| The chance to take a sabbatical | 11.3% |
| Access to a life coach or psychotherapist | 11.3% |
| Bean bags or comfy break out areas | 11.3% |
| A career mentor | 11.3% |
| Access to professional nutritional advice | 10.6% |
| Showers | 10.0% |
| Plant based milks to have with your tea or coffee | 10.0% |
| Access to professional financial advice | 9.4% |
| Office pizza afternoons | 9.4% |
| Being able to bring your dog to the office | 8.1% |
| Hair dryers | 7.5% |
| Annual duvet day allowance | 6.9% |
| Gluten or dairy free snacks | 6.9% |
| A smoothie/ juice machine | 6.3% |
| Option to hot desk when in the office | 6.3% |
| Artwork on display | 5.6% |
| A meditation / yoga room | 5.0% |
| Book shelves | 5.0% |
| Complimentary yoga sessions | 4.4% |
