According to Gallup's State of the Global Workforce 2024, employees across the UK are less engaged, quietly quitting, and less satisfied with their jobs than in previous years. By shifting and offering different types of working patterns, businesses can maintain their competitive edge – adopting a more flexible working attitude which can retain staff and boost productivity.
Coworking spaces have transformed the modern work environment by offering flexible, collaborative settings that cater to freelancers, remote workers, startups, and even established businesses. These shared workspaces allow individuals to enjoy a professional setting without the long-term commitment or overheads associated with traditional office leases. This flexibility is especially appealing to small businesses and entrepreneurs who want to scale up or down without the financial burden of a fixed office space.
These spaces also typically offer amenities such as high-speed internet, conference rooms, and fully equipped kitchens, which enhance productivity and make work more enjoyable. By reducing the logistical headaches of office management, coworking spaces allow members to focus more on their core tasks and goals.
For businesses with employees across the country who work remotely, including those with only small teams or a startup, coworking spaces could offer an ideal solution.
What are the benefits for your employees?
Beyond logistical benefits, coworking spaces have the ability to create communities and enhance collaboration, which are crucial for innovation and professional growth. People working in these environments often come from diverse backgrounds and industries, creating opportunities for networking, idea exchange, and even partnerships.
This interaction with a broad range of professionals can lead to new perspectives, creative problem solving, and access to resources or advice that might not be available in a traditional office or home environment.
Increased productivity
Coworking spaces are designed to promote a productive work environment. Unlike home offices or traditional setups, these spaces offer fewer distractions, while maintaining a lively energy that motivates individuals to stay focused.
The structured environment helps employees maintain a strong work ethic, while the flexibility to move around, change settings, or collaborate with others, can break the monotony of a typical office day. This combination can often lead to increased efficiency and output.
Networking and collaboration
One of the standout features of coworking spaces is the opportunity for you and your employees to meet like-minded professionals. These environments naturally encourage interaction, whether it’s through informal conversations or organised networking events.
By working in proximity to professionals from various industries, you can form valuable connections, learn from peers, and open doors to potential collaborations – you may find a freelance graphic designer or IT professional while grabbing a coffee from the shared kitchen.
Enhanced creativity
These spaces are often designed to be more stimulating and aesthetically pleasing than traditional offices, with natural light and open spaces that positively impact mood and creativity. Many incorporate creative layouts, unique decor, and inspiring design elements. Working alongside people from different industries and backgrounds can also help inspire fresh perspectives – leading to a spark in creativity and innovation.
Flexibility
With employees prioritising flexibility more than ever before, a coworking space offers various membership options to suit different business and employee needs – from a standard hot desk for freelancers to dedicated office rooms for larger teams.
This flexibility extends to working hours as well, with many coworking spaces offering 24/7 access. Employees can choose their working hours to accommodate different time zones or your business needs. Having the ability to move to different areas throughout the day could also help employees come up with new ideas, beat writer’s block, solve problems, and decrease the chance of burnout.
Offering a space which adapts to the needs of your employees allows you to offer that much needed flexibility, which could also help you to attract and retain talent – especially those who are looking for a better work-life balance.
Increased connection
Working in isolation can be challenging, especially if your employees are remote. Coworking spaces provide a sense of community, alleviating potential feelings of loneliness in your employees – heightening a sense of belonging.
Regular social events, workshops, and shared spaces help build relationships with other professionals. This sense of connection can boost morale, improve mental health, and create a support network that can help your employees thrive.
A strong company culture
Although coworking spaces bring together diverse teams and individuals, companies can still develop a distinct culture by setting intentional practices and values that unify their employees. Team leaders can reinforce a sense of culture by scheduling regular team meetings, organising group activities, and establishing consistent communication channels. Branding elements, such as company-branded workspaces or shared digital platforms, can also help create a sense of identity and cohesion among team members.
By setting clear expectations for work standards, behaviour, and communication, leaders can maintain a cohesive environment that reflects the company’s core values – even within a shared space.
These spaces often provide unique opportunities to strengthen company culture by promoting open collaboration and exposing employees to a variety of perspectives and work styles. You can take advantage of the communal setup by encouraging employees to engage with others in the space, establishing a culture of learning, openness and inclusivity.
Considerations when choosing the right coworking space for your team
To ensure your team is most productive in a coworking space, it’s important you choose the right place to base yourselves from, from the off.
Location
When selecting the right coworking space for your team, you should prioritise the location. A convenient location is crucial, allowing employees to work from a space that’s convenient for them.
In London alone, there are over 1,400 coworking spaces, with more than 2,800 across the UK – so there is ample choice available. The space should be accessible by public transportation, while additional perks like nearby parking could prove advantageous.
If you employees frequently meet with clients, proximity to restaurants, cafes, and other professional services can also enhance the overall experience.
Amenities and facilities
Another important consideration is the amenities and facilities provided by the coworking space. You should assess whether the workspace offers reliable internet, access to meeting rooms, printing services, and kitchen facilities.
Some coworking spaces offer additional facilities like fitness centres and event spaces, alongside 24/7 access, which can be highly beneficial depending on your needs.
When employees have access to these types of amenities, they are more likely to view the space as a desirable workplace, leading to increased happiness at work - positively impacting productivity.
Atmosphere and environment
In addition to finding the right location, the atmosphere and environment of the space play an important role in team morale and productivity. Noise levels, for example, can have a huge impact on the productivity levels on some professionals. While some people thrive in a noisy, busy environment, others find it distracting.
Consider utilising a variety of spaces with different noise levels to accommodate different working styles – with quiet rooms for people who want to focus, and communal areas for those seeking collaboration.
If you’re looking for a new member of your team, or are searching for your next career move, get in touch with one of our specialist consultants today.
