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Generational Divide in Workplace Air Quality Expectations Exposed by Fellowes Survey

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As the workplace continues to evolve, a growing generational divide is reshaping expectations for air quality and health. The 2025 International Day of Clean Air Survey from Fellowes reveals that Millennials and Gen Z employees are more than twice as likely as Baby Boomers to worry about the long-term health effects of poor workplace air quality. The survey highlights a significant gap in perception between employees and employers, with a large majority of workers believing that their employer is not doing enough to ensure good indoor air quality.

Key Takeaways:

  • 45% of U.S. Millennial and Gen Z workers would consider leaving their employer over poor indoor air quality, compared to just 18% of Baby Boomers.
  • Millennials and Gen Z are far more likely to worry about the health consequences of poor indoor air quality, with 68% expressing concern about long-term effects, more than double the rate of Baby Boomers (28%).
  • 77% of younger workers report experiencing at least one workplace IAQ concern, compared to 60% of Baby Boomers.
  • Clean air is widely recognized as essential to performance, with 94% of U.S. workers across all age groups saying it helps them do their best work.
  • Only 61% of workers believe their employer is taking the right steps to ensure good IAQ, highlighting a significant perception gap.
  • Millennials and Gen Z comprise 54% of the U.S. workforce, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (2024).
  • Workers prefer installed air purification units (49%), followed by updates to HVAC systems (45%) and visible use of IAQ monitors (36%) to increase their confidence in IAQ.
  • 68% of U.S. workers believe employers bear responsibility for ensuring clean indoor air at work.

Statistics:

  • 68% of U.S. Milennials and Gen Z workers express concern about the long-term health effects of poor indoor air quality.
  • 77% of younger workers report experiencing at least one workplace IAQ concern.
  • 94% of U.S. workers across all age groups believe that clean air helps them do their best work.
  • 54% of the U.S. workforce are Millennials and Gen Z, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (2024).
  • 61% of workers believe their employer is taking the right steps to ensure good IAQ.

Sources:

  • Fellowes 2025 International Day of Clean Air Survey.
  • U.S. Department of Labor (2024).

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