Where and when we work had to change, dramatically, last year. Regardless of how much of our pre-2020 work life returns in 2021, the possibilities of a new work-life routine have opened up to us. As the community manager of Our Community House, a co-working space capable of hosting over 350 staff from the social and non-profit sector, I wasn’t sure if anyone would walk into the building when restrictions were lifted. They did. Why? I wanted to offer a short reflection on what I’ve come to appreciate about our co-working space, and how we might face the joys and challenges of our more flexible working lives.
1. Other people help us to feel human
Focused work is important. Meeting deadlines and completing to-do lists is, for the most part, the very definition of working productively. Most people I’ve spoken to on the WFH question have told me they feel more productive at home. No commute, less distraction, comfortable clothes. In surveying a range of studies, however, it appears that working from home is either drastically more productive, a little more productive, a little less productive or drastically less productive than working in an office. In other words, the jury is very much out on this question.
One clear difference, however, is the sense of connection that comes from working in an office with other people. One study suggests that 81% of Australians consider their work relationships to be as important, or more important (11%), than the job itself. I believe it’s because other people help us to feel human and being around other people, more often than not, feels good and productive in and of itself.
During lockdown I received a call from a member of the space who wanted to check in and acknowledge that we hadn’t had one of our corridor chats in half a year. We don’t work together, we’re not from the same organisation, but sharing a space meant our bump-in conversations had a sense of serendipity and wonderful aimlessness that can only come from not planning to talk. Our chats didn’t revolve around work per se and felt un-rushed and undirected, where the conversation was joyful for its own sake, not its outcome. Returning to our community of people here has reminded me that there is a part of ourselves living in all the relationships we have, even the ones that happen in passing, in the corridor or without a purpose.
2. I benefit from a change in scenery
I love working at home… sometimes. The dress code suits me, the kitchen is nearby, and the commute is incredibly easy – one morning I did actually walk out the front door, got into my car and then walked back inside to experience my so-called “commute”. Having become quite comfortable with a new working life, when restrictions lifted I wasn’t sure that I wanted them to. As you’ve just read, I was either more productive or less productive at home (honestly, flip a coin for any given day). Coming back into the space when I did, I noticed my mood change and my energy increase as I walked in. I don’t have 20-foot ceilings at home, a wide range of incredible art, plants (no, I don’t have indoor plants, would you believe) or huge amounts of light and space. Beyond the clear difference in amenity, it was obvious to me just how important a change of scenery is for me to feel happy and healthy. Studies suggest that we are happier and more productive when we have regular variety in our physical environment. For anyone working a mixed routine that includes work and home, you’re probably nodding your head in agreement. On many measures of happiness and productivity, change beats just home or just office.
3. Teams with different work schedules aren’t alone in a co-working space
At the time of writing this, restrictions were set at 75% of staff able to return to the office. For big teams, if about half the staff return, there is a comfortable number of people to experience some sense of team and social connection. For mid-sized and small teams, it felt different. For companies transitioning to some form of mixed home-office working arrangement, it can be hard to coordinate staff needs, organisational needs and the complex set of staff schedules. In speaking to our members, our co-working space offered them an office space they could essentially abandon or fill up as they needed, without having an office manager to keep the lights on, so to speak. Staff who came in by themselves for the day were not alone and if the printer wasn’t working (our printer always works) we were there to help. Our co-working space provides an ever-present level of office care that can put managers and directors at ease in times like these.
In Summary…
I love working in a co-working space more than ever. In whatever way our working lives change, co-working spaces provide a flexible and social space to accommodate this new working life. Having other people around is important for our social and mental wellbeing. Changing scenery helps us to feel happy and productive and co-working spaces reduce the stress of managing an office with an ever-changing set of schedules. If you’d like to take a tour of Our Community House to see if it works for you, let us know!
Daniel Teitelbaum
Community Manager