Coworking spaces could provide flexibility, motivation, and productivity benefits for workers during the new normal of COVID-19. Their versatility allows for accommodating different work styles and schedules, while chasing the "WFH blues" of lack of separation of work and home life. They also offer a solution for social distancing in traditional offices through work spacing. Additionally, coworking spaces foster collaboration and building networks through interactions with other workers in a shared but safe environment, aiding mental health and happiness. However, for these benefits to be realized, strict safety measures must be implemented and diligently followed.

1. How Does
Coworking
Fit into the
New Normal?
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2. How Does Coworking Fit into the New Normal?
As the country grapples with the idea of a ‘new normal’, we
began to evaluate the role of coworking in our society and how
the concept of a shared workspace may be able to solve some
of the problems that lie ahead, for both workers and
employers.

3. How Safe Coworking Could be the Solution
1. Flexibility and Versatility
Coworking spaces are designed to be versatile, they are created with the sole aim of meeting the
needs of a wide range of different people with different ways of working. Flexibility in the working
hours of a shared office means that it is easier to accommodate the different needs of the users. After
all, coworking hubs are designed to change and grow with the needs of their users, and we all know
things have to change while the risk of Covid-19 is part of our lives.

4. 2. Chase the WFH Blues
Lots of employees who never worked from home before have had to find a way to adapt their homes
to their workplace needs. Staying motivated, not getting distracted and maintaining a healthy
work/life balance are all challenges that coworking aims to solve. A change of environment is not just
a welcome break, it can also be a powerful motivating force that enables you to create a healthy
division between your personal life and your working life.
Shared office spaces, that are close to home and which have implemented safety measures according
to official guidelines, can dramatically improve productivity and offer a safe way for individuals to
collaborate.

5. 3. Work-Spacing
Many company offices are struggling to implement social distancing measures, especially in major
cities such as London where workspace comes at a premium.
Again, a shared workspace in a coworking hub could offer a lifeline to these companies, saving the
cost of paying rent for a whole office. Coworking is ideal for employees who need the benefits and
facilities of a high spec office while adhering to safe social distancing practices.

6. 4. Time to Team Up
A collaborative workspace brings benefits to everyone involved. Not only does it feed that part of us
that thrives when we are part of a community, but it also has a reciprocal effect. As you make
connections with other coworkers and build up a network of trusted people, all with different talents
and abilities, you find yourself with more work to do. This is not just true for freelancers or the self-
employed; employees of companies can also make valuable connections that can accelerate
recovery.

7. 5. Mental Health and Happiness
Coworking safely in a shared office space that had been adapted for these strange times could offer a
welcome return to working life outside of the home. Being around other people – even at a distance –
can bring benefits to our mental health. Of course, returning to a productive way of working can help
restore a sense of security and confidence.

8. There’s a BUT…
All of these factors are only benefits if the shared workspace does everything possible to ensure
the health and safety of the coworkers. Areaworks takes an uncompromising approach to
mitigating risk; from additional cleaning and provision of sanitation supplies to increased
distancing measures, new layouts and traffic flow. You can check out exactly what we have been
doing to make our workspaces safe. We’re all about protecting our community so that everyone
can return to working in a healthy and happy environment. Now, more than ever, we need to
look after one another.
Article originally published on Areaworks