No doubt the current pandemic has dramatically changed how and where we work. Many corporate facilities have been shut down for the foreseeable future, and those who can do so have been asked to work from home in order to help stop the spread of the virus. For some people, the ability to work from home has been one bright spot in an otherwise difficult year, while for others, it has presented additional challenges. Generally speaking, over the past couple of decades, with the advent of the internet and numerous electronic communication options, many workers have dreamt of working from home. After all, who wouldn’t love the opportunity to sleep a little longer due to not having to commute to an office? Instead of an hour spent in heavy traffic, all it takes is a few seconds to walk into another room while sipping your morning coffee. And the thought of no longer being forced to listen to that pesky coworker who stops by your office or cubicle each morning to talk about their latest drama can be quite appealing!
But despite the fact that working from home sounds so great, it also presents numerous disadvantages. For example, it can be tough to stay motivated. If you’re not being directly supervised, it might be tempting to run a few errands or get your laundry done during the middle of the day, for example. But often, before you even realize it, your day has gotten away from you and you haven’t accomplished what you needed to.
Additionally, trying to participate in a zoom meeting or a conference call when your kids are yelling or your dog is barking can make for some awkward moments. Having the doorbell ring when packages get delivered or can also be distracting.
You also may not receive the same level of technical support for your computer and other devices you use for work, and if you’re not technologically savvy, this could prove challenging. There’s no onsite IT department to come and help you out with equipment problems. It’s now all on you! (Agency Network has private offices for rent that include amenities to deal with this.)
And last, but perhaps most importantly, many people working from home report a sense of isolation. Despite that pesky coworker, most people enjoy being surrounded by others and actually thrive on the energy and creativity that comes from it. Collaboration is often easier when done in person. There’s also the benefit of the psychological separation that exists between work and home. After all, it’s easier to leave work at the office when you can actually leave the office.
Co-working spaces have emerged as an alternative for those not working in traditional corporate facilities but who, nevertheless, wish to be surrounded by the buzz of activity and the energy that being around others provides, even though they may not be interacting directly with one another. Co-working spaces are typically large, open, flexible areas that are used by multiple individuals or businesses that are unrelated, and they’re especially popular among small business owners, entrepreneurs, tech startups, and freelancers. Additionally, large corporations have also been known to rent co-working spaces as an inexpensive and flexible way to accommodate their changing needs with respect to staffing.
Co-working spaces, however, also have numerous disadvantages for workers, notably a lack of privacy. It’s easy for others to overhear your phone calls and private conversations in co-working spaces. Similarly, others may be able to look over your shoulder at your computer screen, and this can be especially problematic if you’re working with confidential information. Co-working spaces can also be distracting with their open floorplans, and this may prove challenging if your work requires high levels of concentration for extended periods of time. Co-working spaces can also be crowded on certain days or at certain times, and since we’re still in the midst of a pandemic, this can present obvious problems. Additionally, if you don’t have a designated desk (which is typically the case with co-working spaces), you may need to wait for one to open up. Needless to say, this is not an efficient use of one’s time.
Renting a personal workspace can be the perfect alternative to working from home or from co-working spaces. A personal workspace offers the work/home separation that’s important to many, yet still provides flexibility in meeting the ever-changing needs of a business. It also provides privacy for meetings and conversations, while at the same time, offering opportunities for in-person collaboration. However, during the pandemic, it also offers exposure to fewer people than large, open co-working spaces, thus allowing for easier social distancing and a safer environment for all. In other words, a personal workspace strikes the perfect balance between working outside the home, but without all the disadvantages of large, open co-working spaces. We have personal office space for rent and many options for shared office space in Essex County NJ. Feel free to contact us to learn more!