Coworking spaces are on the rise, and with the pandemic still, very much in existence, many corporate employees, small business owners, start-ups, and freelancers are choosing to remain working remotely within a coworking or home office scenario. Many workers feel their productivity has increased with the added independence and flexibility provided by a home office or coworking environment. Both options offer benefits compared to traditional employment models, leading many companies to jump on the bandwagon, realizing lower overheads and other cost-saving possibilities. Some professionals may have overcome obvious home office pitfalls, while others have discovered the substantial advantages that working within a serviced coworking environment offers.
Drawbacks of the Home Office
Having a private and dedicated space for an office in the home is not a situation available to everyone. Studies indicate that while the added independence and flexibility of working remotely leads to more productivity and overall employee satisfaction, there are definite drawbacks to home office environments that can drop productivity and increase stress. These can include:- Lack of privacy due to distractions from young children, family pets, and even environmental noise.
- Lack of distinction or blurring between work and personal life.
- Discipline and focus are required to work from home successfully, and without these two attributes, we can fall prey to procrastination and poor time management.
- Lack of in-person contact with colleagues can lead to feelings of isolation and disconnectedness. Virtual meetings, initiated by necessity from pandemic restrictions and now an accepted part of the new corporate landscape, cannot fully replace the energy of meeting face to face, especially with clients and new customers.
- Issues with technology and access to support can cause deadline delays.