Savvy employers already know that happy employees are more productive employees. That’s the impetus behind benefits packages, wellness programs, and the encouragement of office camaraderie. In the time of remote work, however, office camaraderie has fallen by the wayside. And employees working from home often report feelings of isolation, communication barriers, and lack of motivation.

On the other hand, remote work brings numerous benefits to both employers and employees. Remote workers do appreciate the lack of a stressful daily commute and improved work-life balance. So, what if you could give them the best of both worlds? That’s the idea behind co-working spaces, which allow remote workers the in-person feeling of collaboration and social connection on an as-needed basis.

It’s time for employers to think beyond the office versus home paradigm. A third option, co-working spaces, allows for all of the benefits of both environments. Employers can free themselves from the burdens of maintaining an enormous, central office space, while also providing for employee well-being.

Remote workers who utilize co-working spaces say that…

  • Co-working spaces allow them flexibility in location
  • Co-working spaces are often more accessible than distance offices in large cities
  • Co-working allows them to choose their own teammates, based upon with whom they best collaborate
  • Co-working spaces, at least on occasion, breaks up the monotony of working from home
  • Co-working spaces help to solve the problem of social isolation
  • Co-working spaces allow for in-person, real-time collaboration, increasing productivity and work quality
  • Co-working spaces save time by eliminating communication delays and tech problems when collaborating on projects
  • Co-working spaces increase job satisfaction, making employees more likely to stick with a company in the long term

From a purely social angle, we all know that working in a typical office setting brings both benefits and drawbacks. Most of us enjoy some degree of social contact, particularly when working on large projects. But office politics, conflicting personalities, and numerous disruptions can also impact job performance and overall happiness. It’s easy to see how co-working spaces offer the best of both worlds, between office and home environments.

To encourage the use of co-working spaces, employers can take the following actions:

  • Educate employees on the benefits of co-working
  • Provide a stipend for co-working spaces, or simply cover the cost of a membership
  • Provide the tools employees need to be successful (extra power cords, noise-cancelling headsets, or commuting discounts)
  • Provide training and guidance on use of co-working spaces

Parlay Cafe is designed to meet almost any co-working need that employers and employees can envision. Whether you’re a business owner or a remote worker, come tour our facility and learn about our membership packages. We can discuss your needs in more detail, and then demonstrate how co-working can specifically benefit your job satisfaction and productivity.