Coworking spaces are open shared work spaces for people to come together under one roof and get their work done, together. Each coworking space is different, focusing on different niches and some are impersonal offices, while others are buzzing community spaces. Coworking spaces are usually seen as the home of the start-up- the penny-conscious entrepreneur who is looking for networks and support to help grow her business. It makes sense and it works well for these entrepreneurs.

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There is, however, another growing segment of coworking users now: the corporate flexi-worker.

We all see the landscape of ‘work’ changing. Business has globalized and we are online 24/7. Technology is helping us communicate and innovate faster than ever before. The conversation around gender equality is reaching a stage of wide awareness – evident in recent media coverage of the pay gap and the motherhood penalty – and now is the time to move into a stage of action: large companies need to take concrete actions to address gender equality issues if they want to be thought of as an employer of choice by millennials.

Flexi-work has its detractors – Marissa Meyer of Yahoo is often the first name that people think of. She famously revoked all flexi-working allowances for Yahoo staff when she took over her role as CEO. Flexi-work has a time and a place however, and Meyer was facing a company in free fall and wanted all hands on deck – her decision made a lot of sense.

What Does Coworking For Corporates Look Like?

It can have a variety of structures. Two successful examples I have seen work:

1. A four day work week, split between the office and a coworking space: Three days in the office, one day coworking. Three days for meetings and team work – one day to Get Stuff Done.

2. Fulltime coworking corporate – a women in our space works for a MNC who doesn’t have a branch office in our city. Instead of working from a lonely, solo office she works in our space and enjoys having ‘colleagues’.

What Are The Advantages For Companies Offering Flexi-Work To Their Employees?

Retain top female talent

Many women look at the return to the office after maternity leave as either an all or nothing. Returning to full time, long hours can be daunting and many opt out when they are due to return. Staying at home doesn’t need to be their only other alternative. Having flexible options is attractive to women looking to keep moving forward with their professional goals while raising a young family.

Self-management gets results

Allow them a super-productive day – on their own terms and at their own times. Surrounded by hard working creatives from other industries and backgrounds. A day to knuckle down and work on big projects away from office distractions and meeting schedules.

On flexi-time days employees can choose a space close to home so they can save on commuting time. They have the flexibility to do school pick-ups or manage personal errands outside of the frantic lunch hour timing. If they work better in the morning they can get be at their desks first thing in the morning and leave in the afternoon.

Allows for ‘structured flexibility’

For the majority of the population, working from home is a great theory but in practice doesn’t work well. Throw a couple of kids into the mix and it’s doomed before it’s even started. Coworking allows employees the relaxed, creative, outside-the-office vibe while providing focused work time, community and the opportunity to spark new ideas.

It gives companies the opportunity to offer flexibility while ensuring work standards don’t get derailed.

What Essentials Need To Be Set In Place For Coworking For Corporates To Be Successful?

Clear expectations

Both sides need to be on the same page about what is expected from each other. The employee needs to be trusted. The company’s needs must be respected. Expectations around communication and work load must be clearly set in place. Any difficulties and challenges must be communicated and dealt with transparently and through clear, established channels.

Harness technology

In our age of cloud-based technology, workers needn’t be tied to the company servers. Establish expectations for communication and look at video conferencing, hangouts, group task apps, and shared resource access. This new technology can give real freedom as well as allowing a strong connection between teams and wider company networks. Make the most of it!

Coworking allows employees room to breathe, focus and create away from their regular office environment. It offers flexibility and bestows trust and responsibility in employees. It is a great answer for large corporates who are looking at ways to respond to our more global, dynamic, tech-based work environment. Enquire at your local coworking space, and offer your employees a chance to ‘shop around’ to find an atmosphere and location that suits their needs.

 

Visit Woolf Works page to find out more about their Coworking space. 

 

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