Workplace Flexibility = Employer Utility? - A cross generational study of the workforce

Abstract: One of the most discussed managerial questions of today is how to handle the fact that the millennials make up bigger portion of the workforce year by year. This generation is sometimes described as profoundly different compared to the previous ones, and it is often stated that they demand flexibility from their employers. What is not extensively researched is however what flexibility factors the millennials demand and how workplace flexibility affects the employee. Hence, the purpose of this study is to find and describe what flexibility factors affect job satisfaction. Furthermore, the study tests what flexibility factors may affect the employee's creativity and potential generational differences connected to this. Perceived workplace flexibility and job satisfaction is measured using a questionnaire. Creativity is measured using an alternative usage test. The results indicate that the generational differences are not as dramatic as they are often depicted. Workplace flexibility is proved to be a universal driver of satisfaction. Moreover, workplace flexibility had little effect on an employee's creativity. Perceived task crafting flexibility was an exception, making non-millennials more creative and millennials less creative.