If you’ve ever wondered how Gen Z is reshaping the modern workplace, you’re not alone. The working world has undergone a major upheaval. The traditional office-based 9-5 is out the window and hybrid working has firmly taken its place. AI is rapidly changing the way we work. To top it off, the division between the work day and personal life is becoming more clear cut than ever before. It's a tumultuous period, and all this change happened just as Gen Z entered the workforce.
At beyond, we’re seeing this mindset shift first-hand across our private and shared office spaces. Born between the late nineties and early twenty-tens, Gen Z will soon make up almost a third of the global workforce. It’s inevitable that their desire for flexible working would continue to gain momentum – especially as Gen Z professionals are moving between roles far more frequently, with LinkedIn reporting a job-switching rate that’s 134% higher than pre-pandemic levels.
But, just how differently is Gen Z approaching the workplace, and how can shared offices facilitate this new working world?
Gen Z professionals aren’t bound to one location. They move fluidly between locations depending on the task. Some focus better at home, while others thrive in shared workspaces – hybrid schedules let them plan the week around productivity and personal time. According to a report by Handshake, 47% want to work in a hybrid pattern for the majority of their career versus only 26% who say they want to work fully in person.
Shorter job tenures are also becoming the new normal, but Gen Z does not necessarily view this negatively. Research from Randstad in 2025 found that globally, Gen Z professionals spend just over a year in roles before moving on to new challenges and growth opportunities.
This is why Gen Z gravitates toward adaptable, flexible work models providing a blend of freedom, structure, and connection. Whether it’s a coworking space in London or a shared office in Berlin, these workspaces meet this need by offering flexible memberships, free trial days, and central locations near major transport hubs.
Gen Z is often driven by a sense of purpose. In Deloitte’s 2025 Gen Z and Millennial Survey, nine in 10 considered having a purpose to be important, whether that’s looking for a role that has a positive impact on society or a day job that provides the resources to drive for change beyond work.
One way in which shared office spaces can accommodate this is by opening on weekends. This gives professionals who view their job as a means to create change a fabled “third space” to work on making their passion project a reality, transforming the office from a place to work, into a communal location best suited for creativity.
Employers, take note: for those without purpose, 40% are willing to outright refuse work that goes against their beliefs or ethics, or leave their job entirely. Creating purpose-driven, flexible environments is not only attractive - it's essential for retention.
The majority of Gen Z grew up in a world where technology is integrated into almost every aspect of society. They intuitively navigate software, social media, and AI tools with ease. Handshake reports that across Europe, 93% of Gen Z expect to use AI in their future roles, and most seem completely confident using this technology.
For shared workspaces, this means strong digital infrastructure is an absolute must. Reliable connectivity, smart meeting rooms, and seamless app-based booking systems help this generation work without friction, in ways they have come to expect.
Climbing the corporate ladder is no longer the only goal for this generation. Clear career progression is important, but Gen Z are also looking for roles with multiple career paths, where they can develop new skills. Stability is just one goal for this generation (and they’re willing to go through multiple companies to find it), and continuous learning and development rank highly, according to Deloitte.
Shared workspaces across Europe, such as coworking spaces in Berlin and shared office spaces in Amsterdam, are key to providing this level of access to learning opportunities. Spaces that offer talks, workshops, and training sessions for growth are highly desirable.
Wellbeing is a core priority for Gen Z. Long hours and overtime without significant compensation are avoided in favour of balance and meaningful time off. This is the generation most likely to voice their high levels of workplace stress, making environments and workspaces that promote mindfulness and connection especially valuable.
Private offices and shared workspaces with an abundance of natural light, a calm design, and open communal areas help encourage community and wellness. These spaces can further encourage wellness culture by offering quiet corners, rooms for mindful breaks, and in-house massages.
The social aspect of shared and short-term office spaces further supports this sense of belonging. Regular workplace events, like mindfulness breakfasts, help people form relationships that reach beyond their own companies. For many Gen Z professionals, especially those moving between freelance projects, start-ups, and hybrid teams, these small communities can provide a sense of grounding, and an opportunity to network.
With Gen Z soon to make up a third of the workforce, employers should consider aligning their company with this generation's wants and ideals.
Shared, private, and short-term office spaces with communal areas that actively encourage community, provide flexibility in how and when people work, and that sit close to major transport links to minimise commute time are the ideal locations to suit the needs of the Gen Z workforce.
The future of work is forming in shared spaces across cities in Europe and globally. It is shaped by people who value community as much as autonomy, and who see work as just one part of a broader life pattern. For Gen Z, this future is the obvious way forward, and it’s up to employers and their workspaces to keep up.
Need a private office or shared workspace that meets the demands of the Gen Z crowd? We’ve got you covered. With sites across Europe like beyond Gouden Bocht in Amsterdam, and beyond The Bower in London, you can find a space that fits the new way of working.