You’d be forgiven if you thought coworking spaces were most often used by entrepreneurial types. Freelancers, startup founders, consultants: they are certainly a large piece of the coworking puzzle, and for years they dominated the spaces. But as of 2016, that assumption is no longer correct. Coworking spaces are being used by traditional companies for a variety of reasons, some of which just might benefit your own company.

In 2016, the coworking balance tipped, with employees of companies, not independent workers, becoming the majority of people using coworking spaces, according to 2016 research by Deskmag and GCUC.

But why companies are allowing more employees this benefit is even more interesting. And, from a recruitment, retention, and business strategy perspective, it’s clear that companies see a lot of inherent value in the coworking space trend.

Here Are Seven Reasons Your Company Should Consider Letting Employees Use Coworking Spaces:

When it comes to your employees, there are several key advantages to be found.

• An alternative to a grinding commute: If your employees are spending a lot of time every day commuting to and from your office, they’re probably coming to work with added stress and exhaustion as a result, and coworking from a space closer to their house can reduce all that negative commuting experience.


Discover a better way to recruit remote talent

Founded in 2007, FlexJobs is the most experienced remote & hybrid hiring platform.

• Unlimited job posts
• Low, flat membership fee
• Access top-level remote advice

• Unlimited resume searches
• Reach the right candidates
• And so much more!

Get Started!

• Empowerment and control: As with most flexible work options, employees who feel more in control over their work days and environments often translate that empowerment into improved productivity and higher job satisfaction.
• A sense of meaning to their work: The Harvard Business Review reported that people who work in coworking spaces see their work as more meaningful. They can drop their work personas and they get to talk more frequently about what they do, which reconnects them to your company and its mission.

While coworking is certainly attractive from an employee’s point of view, companies shouldn’t overlook the many important benefits they’ll derive from embracing coworking spaces.

• Improved focus and productivity: Just like with the option to work remotely, coworking spaces offer an environment that promotes focus and productivity.
• Proximity to clients: Coworking spaces expand your ability to meet with clients in multiple locations (that are professionally designed and not someone’s home office in their guest bedroom), rather than just your single office space.
• Exposure to new business: For example, banks use coworking spaces to interact with freelancers and startups who need new business accounts on the fly.
• Smoother office space transitions: Whether you’re remodeling, moving to a new location, or scaling down, coworking spaces offer professional-grade alternatives to your current space. 

Just like other forms of flexible work, coworking spaces help employees gain more control over when, where, and how they work. But they also help businesses improve productivity, reconnect employees to the company, transition their physical spaces, and gain exposure to current and potential clients.

If you’ve never coworked before, give it a try to find out what it’s like, and see for yourself the advantages that your company might be able to reap from it.

Photo Credit: bigstockphoto.com