The Benefits of Coworking Spaces for a Hybrid Working Model

Since it was announced that the workforce could return to the office, people have adopted a number of different ways of working. Remote and hybrid working models are among some of the most popular options. By February 2022, hybrid working had been adopted by 13% of UK workers, which has risen to 24% in May 2022.

However, hybrid and remote working isn’t limited to working from home. For workers with set office days, or for those who fancy getting out of their house for the afternoon, coworking spaces can provide the ideal solution. But how exactly can they complement a hybrid working model and are they the way forward for businesses across the country?

What is Hybrid Working?

Hybrid working is a type of flexible working that allows employees to split their time between the office and remote working.  

Hybrid working became a popular way of working during the coronavirus pandemic, allowing people to choose between working from home or the workplace. This was beneficial for those with children at home, who found remote working too lonely and for those who didn’t want to return to the office full-time.

There are a number of ways in which hybrid working can be implemented, including: 

• Split weeks - employees have set days to come into the office

• Flexible hybrid - employees choose which days they attend the office

• Split teams - different teams attend on set days

Each blended working pattern has pros and cons for both employers and employees, but all of them can benefit from the use of a coworking space.

Coworking Spaces and the Hybrid Office

Once thought of as an office solution for freelancers and start-ups, coworking spaces have now become a more popular solution for businesses. In fact, in 2021, it was estimated that coworking spaces would see a yearly growth rate of 21.3%, with an estimated 5 million people using coworking spaces by 2024 - an increase of 158% from 2020.

So how exactly can coworking spaces benefit those operating hybrid working patterns?

Coworking for Fixed-Day Hybrid Patterns

The most common hybrid working option is fixed-day patterns, meaning that the whole of the workforce attends the office for set days each week. This gives business owners more visibility and control over who is going to be in the office, allowing for better planning.

However, those working fixed days in the office may not be able to - or want to - work from home on the other days, which is where coworking spaces come in. 

From renting a desk for the afternoon for a change of scenery, to taking out a flexible contract at a coworking space - there are a number of different options to complement a hybrid working pattern. After all, there are many benefits to hot desking.

Coworking for Flexible Hybrid Patterns

Flexible hybrid patterns give employees the choice to attend the office as and when they want to, with no fixed days. Some companies may expect workers to attend the office a certain number of days per week, but allow them to choose what works for them, whereas other businesses may not stipulate.

Some workers could decide to attend the office just a few days per week and work from a local coworking space for the remainder of the time. This is ideal for those who want to avoid a long commute - especially if they contributed to the 126% rise in people who were looking to move away from a major city during the pandemic. 

Whilst this hybrid option provides employees with complete flexibility over their work pattern, it can make it more difficult for business owners to plan. Not only is it difficult to predict how many people will be in the office each day, but it can also make setting up meetings and team events a little more tricky. However, with the ability to book meeting rooms by the hour, coworking spaces can provide the ideal overflow solution for those days when everyone has decided to descend on the office.

Coworking for Hybrid Teams

With the rise of hybrid and remote working, 26% of businesses have made the decision to downsize their offices and rent office spaces in order to fully embrace this way of working. However, with fewer desk spaces available, many workforces have to share the space, which may mean that different teams have dedicated days in the office. 

However, no matter which industry you work in, we all know that things can move quickly in business and there may be times when teams need to hold meetings or training sessions outside of their dedicated office days. Coworking spaces provide a number of solutions for these situations. From meeting rooms for hire, to pay as you go hot desking options - there’s an option for every team, meaning they can gather together outside of the office to get their work done.

So whether you’re looking for a coworking solution for the days when you’re not in the office, or simply want to get out of your house for a change of scenery on those working from home days, coworking spaces perfectly complement the hybrid working model, meaning everyone can work according to their own preferences. 

Get in touch with us today to discuss your requirements and see how Bruntwood could benefit you.