ABSTRACT
This chapter examines how the perceptions, needs, and preferences of employees differ in workplaces depending on their gender and age. Women are typically more sensitive to overcooling, noise, and loss of privacy in large open-plan offices, as well as issues like disconnecting from greenery and nature and the lack of individual climate control. On the other hand, men feel more comfortable in open-plan settings and are more satisfied with the general indoor environmental quality. Intergenerational differences are observed in terms of preferences with open-plan offices, informal meeting spaces, and flexible arrangements. Different work demographics experience disparities in mental and physical health, as well as equity, because of post-pandemic working arrangements. High-performance workplace design should consider demographic needs, incorporate universal design principles, and provide opportunities for individual control and adaptation of immediate surroundings to improve workers’ satisfaction, productivity, and health in the workplace.
