Workplaces are currently in a state of flux, and they have millennials to thank for it. While the employees of yesteryear spent their working days in cubicles and scratchy suits, today's millennial workforce is looking for something very, very different.

They want coworking space that offers a focus on individuality and plenty of access to tech. While this shift in workspace culture may be startling for some, companies around the country are finding that, in addition to increasing innovation, collaborative workspaces also save on workspace-related costs.

Millennials by the Numbers

The millennial generation is defined as those born between 1980 and 2000. Over the last several years, millennials have begun to enter the workforce in droves, and nearly every industry has shifted dramatically as a result. Nowhere is this more pronounced, though, than in the world of entrepreneurship.

You see, millennials are a different generation than the ones that came before them. In addition to the fact that millennials are a larger generation than any other, with the exception of the baby boomers, millennials also make up a full 25 percent of the workforce in the United States. By 2020, the millennial generation will account for a whopping 50 percent of the global workforce.

As the baby boomers retire, millennials are entering the workforce to replace them, and they're bringing a different set of skills and outlooks to the table. Because of this, the CEOs of today are reporting that attracting and retaining skilled millennials is one of their top concerns. This is one of the driving forces behind the sweeping changes in workspaces. 

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What Millennials Want in a Workspace

As millennials enter the workforce, they want to alter it to fit them instead of the other way around. Because of this, the workspace is changing. Today, millennials want the following five things from the workspaces they spend time in:

1. Collaborative Workspaces

Collaborative workspace is essential for innovative millennial employees. Things like open workstations, communal lounge areas and less stuffy conference spaces are all in demand, as many millennials feel that collaborative work and real innovation happen when the workspace itself streamlines communication.

2. Eco-Friendly Mindsets

While things like bamboo flooring and recycling bins may not have been must-haves for the employees of 20 years ago, millennials are now looking for eco-friendly materials incorporated into their offices. Recycled materials are popular, and offices that demonstrate a commitment to being eco-friendly and lowering their carbon footprints are the ones that will attract more millennials.

3. Access to Tech

While millennials want a more approachable workspace, they're also serious employees who want to buckle down and get work done. For a workspace to facilitate innovation and concentration, it has to be functional and provide unprecedented access to tech. This means high-quality computers, standing desks and collaborative platforms that allow for virtual meetings.

4. Areas for "Me Time"

The employee lounge has never been as critical as it is today. Because today's tech and entrepreneurship jobs are more demanding than ever before, millennial employees want places in the workspace to kick back and relax. If you're looking for innovative ideas, look to Google's nap pods and you'll get an idea of what millennials dream of - pun intended!

5. Windows

Having access to natural light improves the performance of employees in the workplace, and millennials know it. Because of this, natural light is a huge draw in millennial-dominated workspaces. One thing that is great about Work Better is the abundance of natural light we build into our offices. From the skylights in Park Avenue South to the large windows in every office at Grand Central West - you'll never be working in a stale environment.

The Millennial Employee Changing the Workspace for Good

While there's no doubt that millennials are overhauling the face of the workspace, most CEOs and managers agree that it's for the best. By placing an increased focus on collaboration, healthy work environments and a good work-life balance, millennials are making the workspace more humane while also increasing innovation and creativity across the board.