Generation Y is changing up the norm when it comes to where and how they live, and the Millennials have unique ideas about workspaces, too. The cubicle with a desktop PC still exists, but Generation Y wants the ability to move work seamlessly across spaces and devices to unlock new levels of productivity and inspiration. Surveys show that they would accept a lower-paying job that offers flexibility with regard to where, when, and how work gets done, with continuous movement from work to personal activities and back again. When the assigned workspace becomes obsolete; fewer employees stay in the same place all day, every day. The current needs vary from the individual desk in the quiet area, to a lounge area with sofas and chairs for a spontaneous meeting, to a formal, enclosed meeting room, to a countertop to check email or make a phone call. Traditional cubicles will still be around, available through reservation just as conference rooms are for meetings. Supervisors and managers could see this more difficult to control, but the shift to the shared workplace and common areas makes for much more efficient utilization of valuable (and expensive) real estate. Rose Clements, HR director of Microsoft Australia, has dealt with the experience of the shift to ABW. “It’s required us to be adaptable and agile, we’ve had to think differently how we’re onboarding people, we’ve had to think differently about the strengths that our managers need to be comfortable in managing in this kind of environment,” she said, adding that ultimately results have been positive. Cisco Systems conducted a survey among its employees and applied the discoveries. They learned that fluidity around the office is beneficial also because it increases communication across departments and roles: a support employee can receive...