The arrival of COVID-19 in early 2020 forced millions of workers around the world to continue their jobs in remote locations, but this change will not go away as the pandemic slows.
Remote and hybrid work models are here to stay, which provides new opportunities for flexible office providers to redefine their best coworking spaces and improve their offerings and services for new members. Here's why, in a post-pandemic work environment, so many businesses are turning to coworking spaces as an alternative to working from home.
Everything revolves around location.
The economic consequences of the pandemic will be felt for years to come, and one of the most significant effects has been on how businesses use traditional office spaces. Only the largest companies could hope to keep their office headquarters in the face of lost profits and mass layoffs, forcing many startups and smaller teams to share third-party coworking spaces instead.
Even so, some people who worked remotely during the pandemic are conflicted about returning to a crowded office. They or a loved one may be immunocompromised, or they simply prefer to work in their own environment with few outside distractions. Whatever their concerns are, finding a hybrid setup or shared office space that meets their requirements is critical.
First and foremost, businesses should prioritise finding locations that employees can easily access with a short commute. Fortunately, the number of available spaces in dozens of cities has increased dramatically in the last decade, so there are plenty of options even in suburban areas.
In a new era where having a headquarters or central office is no longer the norm, choosing a location or locations near employees' homes is likely to be the only way people will want to return to in-office work.
Getting around coworking spaces
When you've found the best location(s) for your team, talk to the coworking owners about the space offerings and amenities. If your team is small and agile, it probably makes the most sense to set up a hot desk for each employee to use whenever they want.
If you have a larger team of 10 or more employees, it is more cost effective to book a private office or series of dedicated desks. This perk could be the deciding factor for employees who grew accustomed to working from home in a quiet and secluded environment during the pandemic. A private office provides some privacy and can help at-risk employees feel more at ease.
It's also a good idea to learn about the space's cleaning procedures and preventive measures to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, which is still causing outbreaks in some countries.
Even in a clean and comfortable coworking space, some employees may prefer to work in their own environment. According to a recent Harvard Business School study, the "sweet spot" for many employees in a post-pandemic working world is going into an office or shared workspace one to two days per week and working from home the other days.
The Advantages of Flexible Office Spaces
Coworking spaces can benefit businesses of all sizes in a variety of ways. As previously stated, it gives employees more freedom in selecting their work environments. If they don't want to return to an office full-time or are sick of working from home, a coworking space can be a good compromise.
Your strategy appears professional and accommodating by providing the option of using a coworking space. This will attract new employees, particularly from younger generations seeking a flexible work environment.
Finally, with the right technology, coworking spaces can provide an environment where employees can connect with one another and produce results. Employees will feel more connected to an established community and more inclined to commit to their work if they have on-demand meeting spaces, collaborative work rooms, and the opportunity to network with other professionals.
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