Co-working During The Pandemic: Pros, Cons and Its Future

The pandemic has forced people to change the way they work. More and more people are now working from home, which can be a great option for some but presents its own set of challenges. For those who want or need to get out of the house and interact with other humans, co-working is a great alternative. But what happens to co-working after the pandemic? Will it thrive or die off? This essay about working together or in other words co-working look at the pros and cons of co-working post-pandemic and what businesses need to do to make sure it survives.

What is Co-working? Co-working is a term that is used to describe a type of work arrangement where people from different businesses or backgrounds come together and share a workspace. This can be in the form of renting co-working space or simply working out of a coffee shop or other public place with others who are also working. Co-working has become increasingly popular in recent years as more and more people are looking for ways to escape the isolation of working from home.

The Effects of the Pandemic on Co-Working

The pandemic has had a big impact on co-working. First and foremost, many people are now working from home, which has taken away some of the demand for co-working spaces. In addition, many businesses have had to close their doors, which means that there are now fewer companies looking for office space. This has resulted in co-working spaces around the country having to reduce their prices or offer free memberships in order to attract clients.

Many people now look at co-working spaces as an unnecessary expense due to the fact that everyone can now work from home and produce the same level of work. In addition, many co-working spaces are now in close proximity to each other, which could lead to saturation of the market.

Below are just some of the pros of co-working during the pandemic:

• More productivity

Many businesses have reported higher productivity due to the fact that people are now working in a collaborative environment. This is especially true for businesses that have employees who work from home and need to be more productive in order to make up for a loss of time.

• Surrounded by like-minded people

Co-working allows you to surround yourself with like-minded people, which can be great for networking and getting new ideas. It can also be a great way to meet new clients. This can boost company morale because when you are surrounded by positive people, it can have a positive effect on your motivation. By collaborating with people, you are more likely to discuss new and effective strategies.

• Improved communication

Co-working can improve communication within a business because people are now working together in the same space. This can help to eliminate silos and promote better teamwork. Yes, communicating on software such as Slack, Zoom and email is great, but there is nothing like face-to-face communication.

• No distractions

Working from home can often lead to distractions, such as the TV or the internet. Co-working eliminates these distractions and allows you to focus on your work. Many people don't have home office space, so co-working can also be a way to get work done without having to go into an office.

• Flexibility

Co-working allows you to work when and where you want. This is great for people who have a lot of flexibility in their schedule or those who need to take care of children or pets during the day. Many Co-working spaces are starting to offer 247 passes, which means that you have true freedom when it comes to your work schedule!

Below are some of the cons of co-working during the pandemic:

• Lack of privacy

When you are working in a co-working space, there is always the potential for someone to see or hear what you are working on. This can be especially challenging if you are working on confidential information. In addition, many people find it difficult to focus when they are around others.

• Limited growth

Coworking is ideal for businesses that are in the start-up phase or for businesses that are looking for ways to save money. For businesses that are looking to grow, co-working may not be the best option because there is a limit to how many people can fit into a co-working space.

• Health risks

Co-working spaces can often be breeding grounds for germs. In addition, if someone in the space is sick, it can easily spread to other people. With the new variants of the coronavirus, this could potentially be a major issue.

• Lack of customer support

Many co-working spaces do not have customer support, which can be challenging if you need help with something. In addition, most co-working spaces do not offer phone support, so you have to be able to solve technical problems on your own.

The Future State of Co-Working

There is still a high demand for co-working spaces, especially among millennials. In order for co-working spaces to thrive in the future, they need to offer more than just a place to work. They need to offer things such as workshops, training and networking events. Co-working businesses should also focus on developing relationships with larger companies. By doing this, they can get access to large companies' clients and employees. Many people love the digital nomad lifestyle of having the freedom to travel and work from anywhere. The pandemic has put a damper on this lifestyle as many people are now stuck at home. However, as the world continues to open up this could potentially lead to an increase in the number of people who want to work in co-working spaces again.

Final Thoughts

While it is clear that co-working will have to change in some ways, the benefits of co-working are too great to ignore. Co-working provides a sense of community, collaboration, and productivity that cannot be found in traditional office settings. Businesses should continue to explore co-working as an option for their employees and work together with other businesses to create larger co-working communities.

References

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4. Glaeser, E. L., Gorback, C., & Redding, S. (2020). How much does COVID-19 increase with mobility? Evidence from New York and four other U.S. Cities. Journal of Urban Economics, 109, 103238.