After the pandemic has passed, companies will likely opt to decentralize their offices and adopt coworking spaces that allow them to cut overhead costs and accommodate employees who want to work remotely.
“Coworking spaces have the potential to provide vital business services to support the remote workforce closer to where they are, especially as residual anxieties linger over taking public transit,” said Brent Capron, design director of interiors at architecture firm Perkins and Will’s New York studio.
But in order for coworking operators to continue growing, they will need to address new concerns that have emerged from the pandemic, including spacing and cleanliness practices. If they can meet physical distancing guidelines and keep the space sanitized regularly, members will flock to these spaces.
After experiencing a long period of isolation, finding a community is more important than ever. Although many coworking spaces have had to close their doors for the time being, several have shifted to online platforms to keep members engaged.
Amy Nelson, founder and CEO of women-oriented coworking firm The Riveter, said that her company has hosted events and workshops online that focus on what working women need at the moment, such as how to work from home, childcare and homeschooling children, more. It is also focusing on how it can accommodate the needs of its members after lockdowns have been lifted.
