Re-[Engage] with the Workplace

Re-[Engage] with the Workplace

This year we’ve seen a lot of changes, one of those being how and where we work. A lot of us are working from home these days and every week we hear about another large company declaring that they may never return to the office. While there have been a lot of perks to working from home for both employees and companies, there are benefits to engaging at the office. 

Many employees have found they’re more productive and focused working from their couch, even amongst a pandemic. We can utilize technology to interact with our co-workers at almost the same level as we did in our workplace. But, like workplaces, there is no one-size-fits-all and not everyone can work from home. As more companies move to reduce their overhead and send their employees remote, they might want to consider other options, such as flexible workspaces. 

The workplace cannot just disappear, as it is a needed ingredient in businesses. It helps provide diversity in our lives, helps maintain our sanity, and motivates us to strive for better. While working from home can provide many benefits such as no commute, more time with family, and a few extra minutes to sleep in- businesses would lose so much by moving entirely remote. Instead, we need to consider a blend of both, because losing the workplace isn’t a great option. Here are some reasons why:

Social  

One thing I think we’ve all learned from this pandemic is we, as humans, are social creatures. Introverted, extroverted, or ambivert it doesn’t matter- we need people. It may seem counter-intuitive to encourage your employees to socialize in the workplace, but it can actually help productivity: huddling over a project, bouncing ideas across a conference table, or even small talk at the coffee maker. At the office we gain the opportunity to socialize with people outside our usual circles, exposing ourselves to a more diverse group of people and ideas. At Engage – Workspace for Lawyers, there is also the added benefit of networking with other attorneys in the office and receiving business referrals.  

Balance 

A challenge of working from home has been the lack of transition. For many, the commute provides a chance to shake off the personal or professional stressors of our day. It’s a buffer between our two worlds. Without this physical separation it can be a struggle to mentally separate our families from our jobs. Having a designated workplace provides a quiet space to get work done, away from kids, pets, and spouses. It also provides a place to store and leave behind our work stressors so that we don’t take them home. 

Mental health

We need stimulation, and the loss of it can hinder our productivity and our mental health. Working from home can mean sitting hunched over your laptop at the dining table or on the couch. The workplace provides certain fulfillment that we can’t always get from our house, such as social or emotional connections. The loss of physical, human interactions can weigh on us and make us feel lethargic, depressed, or unfocused. Believe it or not, the small talk and mini-dramas of the office can provide much needed fuel for our day. The constant shifts and movements, whether physical, emotional, or mental, of the workplace are necessary to our mental health. 

Creativity/Innovation

The workplace, through socializing and stimulation, helps feed our creativity. The ability to get up and walk to someone’s office to talk through a problem or the chance to gather in a group to build on an idea is what will be lost by remote work. With technology we can communicate almost instantaneously but sometimes there are technical difficulties, slight delays, that can hinder the flow of ideas. Not to mention you can’t read the tone of emails or read body language when corresponding remotely…nothing can replace physically sharing a space with someone to create. 

Culture

A strong company culture is a great way to recruit the best talent. It’s the ultimate team building tool. Large companies often brag about their workplace’s atmosphere with things like “bring your dog to work,” outdoor workspaces, or casual dress. These things help attract and retain employees while contributing to their brand. For law firms you sometimes see this in the difference between huge firms and smaller boutique firms - having a unique culture starts in the workplace. 

The workplace will never be the same after this year. Companies are struggling with whether to re-open or continue working remotely, but it doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing approach.  We believe the solution is flexibility. Businesses need to embrace both working from home and working in the office. This is why spaces like Engage are here - to offer you the flexibility to embrace the “new normal.”

Engage Workspace for Lawyers is an office space for lawyers built by lawyers. Unlike other coworking spaces, Engage charges a flat monthly rate for access to a full suite of resources and limits membership to a community of lawyers. If you are looking for law office space where you can focus on your practice and be surrounded by great colleagues, please contact us or book a tour.

© Elysium Consulting LLC dba Engage Workspace for Lawyers.  2018-2023.  Represented by intellectual property law firm, Klemchuk PLLC.