How is COVID-19 impacting coworking spaces?
- Remote Working
- Coworking For Normalcy
- New Protocols
The impacts of COVID-19 on coworking spaces are rapid and significant. The pandemic has forever changed the way people interact with each other due to the many consequences of contracting the virus. Resiliency is the most important trait to have for any company that manages flexible workspaces or coworking spaces. They need to start learning how to adapt to these new and unique situations. Each coworking space works differently than others but here are some of the most common impacts of COVID-19 on coworking.
Remote Working
More companies are looking to lower the density of employees in offices. Coworking spaces can be used to lower the density of the population by relocating some employees to coworking spaces. However, not all are able to do this. Most people are much more comfortable working safely at home and figuring it out as they go. Some companies are still adapting to these new changes and it may take some time to get used to. However, this doesn’t mean that all remote workers will work at home during the pandemic. Some remote workers may have unstable internet and other utilities that prevent them from working properly. The job of a coworking space is to create a comfortable environment for these employees so they can remain productive during the pandemic.
Coworking For Normalcy
The coworking space must be managed diligently and provide proper sanitation daily. This way, companies that decide to relocate their employees to these coworking spaces are safe from COVID-19 with these properly implemented protocols. Coworking spaces will also ensure that the relocated employees feel a sense of normalcy during this pandemic. Instead of being stuck at home, they can remotely work at a coworking space that’s near their home.
New Protocols
Similar to normal office spaces, the flexibility of coworking may be tested again. These business models will need to learn how to adapt to social distancing and city guidelines to keep the business running. This could evidently put a dent in the revenue of coworking spaces. If there are clients that rent the space monthly, the loss of revenue can ensue if they deem the space to be unsafe. However, there’s a workaround to this problem. Taking advantage of a per-day rental basis will work well in proving social distancing. Coworking businesses can limit the number of people in the space at a given time while still maintaining the business properly. This way, people that need space temporarily can go and rent the space for a day and feel safe. The limited number of people within the coworking space will ensure that the pandemic will be in control.
Key Takeaway
The impacts of COVID-19 on coworking spaces can work positively for many companies and individuals that need a sense of normalcy. With the right social distancing, provision of supplies, and proper management of the space, freelancers and other entrepreneurs can feel safe and secure while remotely working.