Workspace: Learning and Mentoring
Research suggests that younger workers, particularly Gen Y (born 1979 through 1997) are more interested
in learning from their peers and more experienced workers than are older employees (Becker, 2000; Wymer,
2008). Thus, the workspace should be designed to support learning and encourage mentoring opportunities.
The current practice of locating more experienced staff in enclosed private offices, while increasing their comfort
level, could reduce learning and development opportunities for younger employees. While potentially increasing
the comfort level of older workers reliant on private offices, this approach also carries the risk of allowing older
workers’ skills and development to atrophy if they lose the benefit of being pushed by younger staff to learn new
skills and think in new ways about problems.