Coworking and flexible office spaces will definitely play an important role in the future of work. This article highlights some of the major factors that will impact the world of work in order to gain a better understanding on what to expect, and how the flexible office industry is poised to be a main player in this evolving landscape.
Remote & hybrid work
Despite Covid-19’s acceleration of this trend, remote and hybrid work will continue to grow in popularity in the future. With access to memberships like All Access Passes which are specifically designed for work-from-home professionals, flexible office spaces can help bridge the gap by providing hybrid workers a place to work when they need a break from the home office. Additionally, coworking spaces can help remote workers remain connected to their colleagues and the professional community, enabling them to maintain their social relationships and professional networks.
Flexibility and diversity
According to Buffer’s 2023 State of Remote Work Study, 91% of poll participants favored working remotely, and amongst those respondents 22% cited that flexibility of their time was the top perk. Additionally, in 2022, McKinsey conducted a survey on the benefits of remote work with 25,000 employees from a variety of industries. The report found that flexible work environments to be the third reason people look for new jobs, after better pay/hours and career advancement opportunities. Employees place such a high value on working remotely that 87 percent of respondents stated they would accept the opportunity if given.
Having access to a coworking place offers a lot of flexibility and diversity. Whether it’s a private office or an open coworking desk, flex offices provide workers with the option to work in a variety of environments. This allows professionals to choose the workspace that best satisfies their requirements, whether they require a quiet area to concentrate or a more social workspace to network and collaborate with others.
Source: https://buffer.com/state-of-remote-work/2023
Virtual reality
Future technologies in virtual and augmented reality are anticipated to have a significant impact on the nature of employment. With ever-expanding tech like Zoom Rooms Video Conferencing, professionals will be able to collaborate in immersive virtual settings, while augmented reality will allow them to project digital data into the world. With the use of these technologies, we’ll be able to work together effectively no matter how geographically apart we are from our team members, revolutionizing how we cooperate, communicate, and complete tasks.
Increased productivity and creativity
According to research by Deskmag and Deskwanted, more than two-thirds of coworking space users reported feeling more creative and collaborative on projects, and 74% reported being more productive. The sense of community that coworking fosters is one of its key appeals. Professionals could work from home just as easily, but they wouldn’t have the same opportunities for interaction and collaboration. Although socializing is not a requirement to join a coworking space, researchers discovered that even the prospect of interactions aided individuals’ sense of community in coworking environments.
Cost savings
Businesses can save a lot of money by using flexible offices and coworking spaces. Companies can lower their overhead expenses and free up capital for other parts of the business by sharing office space and resources. Flex office spaces give companies the flexibility to grow or contract as necessary without committing to a typical office space for the foreseeable future.
With new technology and societal trends, flexible office spaces and coworking will certainly play an increasingly vital role in the future of work. These spaces are a desirable alternative for both workers and employers due to their flexibility, variety, enhanced productivity and creativity, cost savings, and support for remote/hybrid work. Flex workspaces are set to become even more crucial as the workplace continues to change, assisting employees and companies in adapting to the various demands of the modern workplace.
If you need a workspace solution to compliment the current way you work, check out what Pacific Workplaces has to offer.