Bringing your bag and laptop and stepping into the office building, do you feel good? Maybe yes, or you are not sure yet. Your feelings depend on the workplace and how inviting it is for you. Now, this doesn’t mean that all offices are bad. But some are really difficult places to sit and focus on your work.
If you are one of these people suffering from a bad office syndrome, you need a change. The change is to move your new office to a coworking space. These spaces have an open floor layout and have shared seating options so that people from different industries can rent a workstation and work independently.
Now, the question arises: are coworking spaces beneficial for all? However, before choosing coworking spaces as your ultimate option, you need to understand the advantages and limitations they offer. In this blog, we will cover all common aspects of coworking spaces and their worthiness for employees.
Benefits of Using Coworking Spaces for Employees
Coworking spaces are shared by many people. It is nothing like your typical office. The environment of the shared space is relaxed and collaborative, and offers a lot of benefits to you and your work ethic in the following ways:
Flexibility of Workplace
Does your office offer you any sort of flexibility? Can you randomly switch your seat with your colleague without anyone getting their eyebrows raised? Definitely not. But in coworking spaces, it is possible. These shared spaces are designed to be used by many employees, and anyone can change their seating position. You can rent a flexible desk in the working space and sit in any spot you like. Also, people who like to keep their workstations fixed can have dedicated desks. Additionally, you can also use sofas in the lounge and work there for a while. The flexibility to change your workstation is exclusively available.
Another thing that matters a lot is the location of coworking spaces. These shared spaces are located in accessible areas of the city. This allows you to access transport, markets ,and hospitals easily. Thus, you get a big benefit of flexible location with coworking spaces.
Easy Networking Opportunities
Professional life thrives on making meaningful connections. You have your colleagues in your office and have productive conversations with them. You might be wondering if you get into shared spaces, you will lose this professional bond. But it's wrong. Coworking spaces offer you more networking opportunities than you can imagine.
Just imagine, it is a shared space with people from multiple industries. You could be sitting next to an entrepreneur with a local business or a freelancer. You have a more diverse type of professionals around you, and you can have more meaningful conversations with them. Similarly, you can make new friendships and increase your social circle. Thus, coworking spaces open a new door of connections for you.
Cost-Effective Solution for Workspace
Setting up a proper office is not that easy. It's a long process of finding and completing the rental contracts with agents. Then you have to buy furniture and do the branding of your office. These necessities can easily linger for a long time. Instead of this complex procedure, it is better to rent a coworking space and peacefully start your new venture.
Shared spaces offer a cost-effective solution for small businesses. People can rent the space according to their requirements, like a few desks and a private office, and their whole workplace is set up. They only have to pay the monthly rent for the shared space. Thus, in this model, you can easily set up your office spaces and start focusing on your work.
Fosters Productivity and Creativity
Do you care about your work productivity and also need a dose of creativity? If you choose coworking spaces, you can get the benefit of both. In a typical office, productivity needs to be fueled constantly, and employees often do this by being overly hard on themselves. Distractions, poor seating, and boring buildings with no plants can jam your mind and affect your productivity. The same happens with your creativity; you can’t bring fresh ideas to the table. Thus, for these solutions, shared spaces are the best bet for you.
In coworking spaces, the office space is fully designed to make you feel comfortable and alive throughout the whole time. Properly spaced workstations and private offices, good interior with lighting and indoor plants, the workplace helps you focus on your work. If you need creativity, you can begin a little discussion session with other employees, and your mind will bring more new ideas to you.
Creating a Proper Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance means a daily routine that doesn’t have any negative effect on your work and personal life. None should be compromised. In work-from-home mode, work-life balance is not possible. But in coworking spaces, you can create this balance and still ace your job.
Shared spaces offer you a proper office setup that doesn’t feel hard on you. You can either rent a single workstation or have full privacy in a private office. Additionally, you can also access markets easily from the shared space. Thus, working in a coworking space helps you maintain this balance easily.
Benefits of Office Amenities
Freelancing gives you the freedom to set your working hours and style. At home, you can set up your little office space. But other than a computer system, you can’t have other technical equipment. In coworking spaces, the workplace is set up with high-tech integrations. You can access LCDs, microphones, printers, and scanners. Moreover, in shared spaces, you also have the option to access the gym area and gaming zone. These types of amenities are not offered at home or the office, but in shared spaces, you can use them and spend good working hours.
Reducing Loneliness for Remote Workers
Freelancers and remote workers are familiar with this feeling; they often feel lonely at certain times during their working hours. Sitting alone and doing your job sounds very productive, but at times it becomes difficult as you need to socialize with people. If you rent a workstation in a coworking space, you get back on your socializing track. In shared spaces, you can interact with multiple people and even form new friendships. So, whether coworking spaces offer you proper space for focus and productivity, you can avoid loneliness and also socialize normally with other people.
Modernized and Well-Designed Workplace
Workplaces should be inviting and give a positive vibe. If you enter your office and it gives you depressing or lonely feelings, then your workplace needs to be redesigned. There are several factors, including limited seating space, inadequate lighting, lack of office branding, and closed rooms with no natural light. These things make any space look bad. However, in coworking spaces, the office structure is designed to provide a positive and welcoming atmosphere. They have the perfect combination of modern interior design, indoor plants, and wide windows for proper sunlight. This makes coworking spaces beautiful, alive, and inviting, and you can’t help but feel uplifted in such an environment.
Cons of Working in Coworking Spaces
Coworking spaces have many benefits for their employees. But it doesn’t mean that everyone is a fit in these spaces. Some people still struggle to settle into their comfort and working style in the shared spaces.
Here are some potential downsides of coworking spaces:
Lack of Privacy at the Workplace
In shared spaces, often people are sitting on one floor, and everyone belongs to different industries. In this situation, the whole space may lack privacy. People are getting phone calls, or someone is fidgeting, which causes distraction and may make it hard for you to focus. Even in a private office with closed walls, you might hear noises from other employees' conversations. So, shared spaces are sometimes not private.
Recurring Monthly Rent
Coworking spaces are affordable solutions for startups and small businesses. However, for some employees, such as remote workers and freelancers, managing their monthly rent can be a bit challenging. Suppose you haven’t received your salary, it would be difficult for you to pay your monthly rent. Additionally, the recurring cost of rent might make it hard to manage your budget properly.
Security Risk for Employees
In coworking spaces, you might feel a lack of privacy. The same applies to your workstation and your stuff. Anyone can access your computer system, and they can steal your important data. Thus, an open seating layout can sometimes cause this data security issue, and you have to be very careful with your devices and company data.
Limited Branding of Business
In shared spaces, you can’t do branding of your business properly. You rented a private office in the coworking space building, and the designing and branding of your business are limited only to your dedicated office. You can’t put up your business banner on the top of the building. Thus, you have a proper workplace for your employees, but it is not branded.
Who Should Use Coworking Spaces?
There is no specific category for people who can rent a coworking space. But for some people, it is easier and better to set up their office or workstation in shared spaces, as it suits them better and offers them a flexible workplace option.
So, below are some people who use coworking spaces:
- Freelancers
- Startups
- Remote Workers
- Digital Nomads
- Remote Teams
- Students and Researchers
- Entrepreneurs/Small Businesses
- Employees of Large Corporations
Make Your Decision
Whether coworking spaces are a good workplace option for you or not is a subjective question. It is a place designed to offer multiple benefits to employees. With the flexibility of seating options, a comfortable environment, and like-minded professionals, there are many positives to working in coworking spaces. But at the same time, some employees find it hard to settle into the environment of shared spaces. In the end, it all comes down to the employee to properly explore the pros and cons of coworking spaces and then make an informed decision.
Do you need some suggestions for shared spaces to explore? Workpod is a premium coworking space in Johar Town, Lahore, where you can find multiple workstation options and excellent amenities, all there to provide you with the perfect workplace.
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