Getting away from the traditional, centralized office model and working remotely is a big global trend. More than ever, employees, small business owners, and freelancers choose to work from their home office rather than commute to an outside location. This solution offers added independence and flexibility, and many find their productivity levels have increased.
However, distractions from working at home can be a problem. As a result, those already working from a home office and companies desirous of shrinking their lease overheads are looking at the benefits of using coworking spaces. Home office and coworking office options share many of the same advantages, yet there are unique pitfalls when working from the home environment.
Coworking vs. Home Office
Let’s take a closer look at some of the drawbacks of the home office and how a fully serviced coworking location can provide solutions.
Privacy
For people with children living at home, of any age, pets, and even elderly parents, distractions can create a frustrating lack of privacy and environmental noise. Interruptions happen at home, despite initial boundaries being set, and time management becomes challenging.
Coworking offices offer the option of private office space, complete with the amenities and tools required to work productively and privately when needed, either as a long-term choice or for when you are entertaining clients, working on a special project, or need a short-term area away from others.
Distinction from Family Life
Whether or not you have a family, there is always the possibility of getting caught up in the trap of blurring personal time into work time. This scenario may work for those whose daily work demands are flexible and fluctuating. Others still need to regulate themselves to a specific time frame and may feel out of control and overwhelmed.
There is a comfortable balance of independent and shared office space within a professional coworking environment. Amenities usually include spacious meeting rooms and private offices, relaxing lounge areas, and kitchen facilities, with professional administrative staff on hand to help with tasks and technical support. My Annapolis Office combines these amenities in a warm and convenient setting.
Isolation
Working from home can create a social vacuum for employees traditionally accustomed to working in a busy office environment. Virtual meetings are now commonplace since Covid, however, they cannot replace the immediacy, spontaneity, and human connection that in-person interaction provides. In addition, isolation can lead insidiously to a sense of career stagnancy, as procedures and supports are no longer readily available, and advancement doesn’t have the same emotional resonance when working alone in the home.
Within a coworking location, you are likely to become more engaged in the active and stimulating environment, networking with others that share similar goals and deadlines. In addition, coworking spaces make it easier for colleagues and clients to join for work and social time.
Experts argue that working remotely continually from a home office is not healthy in the long term. Combining the benefits of a coworking environment with the home office may be the best approach and lead to healthier and happier employees, freelancers, and entrepreneurs.
