Office life has frequently been interpreted as a contradiction in terms; life happens everywhere but in your cubicle. Being hard-pressed to find your soul in a decomposing place, travelling dozens of miles, conversing with the same people every day can be crushing. The concept of “co-working space” has gained popularity only recently and has caused a colossal shift in the flexible working notion.
Despite the latest surge in the attraction of this environment. It has been present in our lives for as long as the world has industrialised. Put simply. A co-working space is an integrated environment curated to assimilate dynamic working individuals from different companies. Wherein they share office space and all the supplies therein.
According to a recent report by Clutch, over 77% of co-working employees are satisfied with their way of working owing to several perks instead of a traditional workplace. Co-working has induced a hybrid workplace conceptualisation allowing employers to save on operational costs by cutting their distant employees’ commuting time and bridging across office location limits.
Increased flexibility, networking opportunities, and a strong sense of community are just a few of the bonuses. Also, there’s a lot of places where you can try a great coworking space in Delhi or some luxury coworking space in South Delhi.
Limitations of a co-working space
Despite the perplexing conveniences and aids that it equips both tenants and employers, there are several downsides to adapting to a hybrid work environment. The following are a few limitations and drawbacks of a co-working space followed by simple strategic approaches to help attenuate the same, which will allow all the workers to make the most out of the amalgamated space.
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Distractions and noise
A large proportion of employees are more productive in a zen atmosphere. Although sounds of birds chirping, wind swirling or leaves rumbling might be soothing for the mind but the continuous clacking of keyboards, random conversations of people during their breaks, active profound phone calls, and loudly ringing telephones are enough to drive a person far away from a tranquillized mind.
A co-working space resembles an open floor workplace. Which means there ought to be distractions that can lead to hitches in productivity and output quality levels.
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Privacy and safety concerns
Being a collaborative working space, co-working offices are social hubs. Where infringement of the personal space of an individual may be inevitable. Anyone can peek at anyone’s screens, leaf through printouts around the copier, use common desktops, or over-hear conversations. Working on undeclared ideas or projects can be hectic and prevention of duplication transforms into a frantic major task.
Desk arrangement and space allocation are the main elements contributing to creating privacy. Moreover, data security measures such as personal laptops and hotspots can be used by individuals.
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Limited customization
Having a personalized workspace with pictures, post-its and accessories boost productivity by making an individual feel ‘at-home’ and comfortable. However, in co-working spaces, there is no fixed place for any worker and does not allow its tenants to do so which means there is no reserved working area leading to concerns. Managers can authorize employees to personalize their spaces.
Additionally, allotting visitors the space they need to work but in a limited manner can be a good way to get ahead of this issue and reserve space for permanent tenants.
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Limited space and regulated design
Members of a co-working space do not have a stance in the structural planning and layout of the office space. Which is often small and doesn’t meet the requirements an individual’s business might require.
The lack of proper amenities can lead to a struggle in the retention of tenants in the office. A proper desk arrangement can prevent friction by allotting each person enough space to spread out over. The solution to this drawback requires monetary investments but could be a conscientious expenditure to provide a better working environment.
Conclusion
Lack of privacy and safety, confined spaces, insufficient and limited utilities. Or a generalized workspace are fair drawbacks however they are not impossible to eradicate.
A few tweaks and modifications in the structural, as well as configuration blueprint of the office space. It can lead to additional benefits ensuring employee safety, productivity and contentment. Businesses must address these issues to avail better and more cost-effective ways to grow. Meeting the expectations of tenants can boost their retention and proper management of the facilities can keep it organized leading to a better modern-day co-working experience.
