The popularity of remote and hybrid work has skyrocketed in the last few years, with the pandemic having forced businesses to adapt in ways that they had previously not thought possible. As we move further into 2024, the way we work continues to evolve and remote and hybrid business models have been embraced by companies worldwide.
Trends in remote and hybrid working patterns and, by extension workspaces, have been largely driven by changing employee preferences and companies’ recognition of the perks these models offer. Coworking spaces are also becoming increasingly more remote and hybrid-friendly, encouraging productivity and fostering a sense of belonging for employees however frequently they use a collaborative space.
In this article, we’ll explore the key trends shaping the future of work and how coworking spaces are playing a pivotal role in supporting this rapid transformation.
What Does the Future Look Like for Remote and Hybrid Work?
1. Hybrid Models Will Continue to Grow in Popularity
The widespread adoption of hybrid work arrangements doesn’t look set to slow down anytime soon, making it one of the most significant trends as we move further into 2024. With employees splitting their time between the office and remote locations, companies are rightfully recognizing that this offers the ‘best of both worlds’ for their teams, allowing for increased flexibility while fostering in-person collaboration and team-building on occasion.
From improved work-life balance and increased employee retention and satisfaction rates to reduced commute times and costs, employers should expect to see this trend stay top of mind for more prospective employees as they come on board.
Coworking spaces, simultaneously, have emerged as ideal hubs for hybrid working teams, providing a professional and collaborative environment for remote workers to meet and connect with colleagues and clients semi-regularly, but not every day.
Startups in particular will see this type of model prove instrumental in their success. For example, owners setting up a business in Gibraltar have plenty of opportunities to achieve healthy international expansion and reap tangible benefits from a hybrid structure. With plenty of coworking spaces and private offices available in fulfilling locations like these, working internationally and expanding (while keeping a hybrid model intact and costs to a minimum) has never been easier.
2. Greater Investment in Remote Employee Experience
As remote work becomes more prevalent, companies have recognized the importance of investing in the resources, tools, and assets that enhance the remote employee experience. Working remotely full-time can sometimes lead to feelings of increased isolation, burnout, and stress, particularly if no sufficient boundaries are set between work and leisure. What’s more, the opportunities for collaboration are minimal for a fully remote employee.
As such, businesses will need to provide more attention to incentives and solutions that foster a greater sense of community and belonging for their teams. This will involve providing professional development and growth opportunities to employees even if they are not physically present while ensuring parity between on-site and remote experiences.
Some employees, for example, may be working for a U.S. firm while residing overseas in a European city that offers cultural and personal fulfillment, but that doesn’t mean that work-life balance and mental health support should be overlooked by employers.
Coworking spaces offer a healthy middle ground by creating dedicated workspaces outside the home, facilitating social interactions and providing access to resources that make remote working easier.
3. A Prolonged Cyber Security Evolution
With the rise of remote working, cyber security concerns have also emerged as a top priority. Remote workers often have to access sensitive data while connected to unsecured, public networks, or fail to exercise proper data etiquette while abroad. Many remote workers are faced with a plethora of data breach and cyber attack risks while working outside of their ‘known’ environment.
Businesses should brace themselves for a more volatile and unpredictable cyber security future as threats grow in sophistication and quantity. Companies should take steps to implement strong two-factor authentication (2FA) measures, provide comprehensive cyber security training and awareness, regularly patch and update systems, deploy resilient backups to safeguard data loss and invest in robust managed security solutions.
Authorized and reputable coworking spaces offer more stability for remote or hybrid workers, providing secure, password-protected networks, rigid cyber security policies, and industry standards. As such, they provide an inherently more safe environment for remote workers handling sensitive information.
4. Upskilling for an AI/Human Future
Artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies continue to advance, providing companies with numerous productivity and time-saving advantages. However, balancing this transformation with remote work processes also creates skills gaps that need to be addressed, none more important than learning how to leverage AI ethically and meaningfully while exercising supervision and oversight.
Understandably, AI is a concern for many scaling businesses and remote freelancers who fear long-term job displacement risks. Businesses must equip their teams (remote or not) with the necessary skills and resources to collaborate effectively with AI and use these technologies as assets in decision-making and efficiency, rather than a like-for-like replacement.
Businesses should be prepared to have increasingly difficult conversations about AI’s current and future influence in the workplace and the knock-on effect it will have on their teams. For all of its quirks like quick content generation and swift data analysis, it still lacks the ability to think logically, creatively, emotionally, and rationally.
Without proper infrastructure and support for remote workers trying to navigate the evolving AI space, they could be left in the dark about what their future holds. As such, companies must ensure that robust coaching, mentoring, and online learning resources are embraced for their remote and on-site teams while encouraging an open culture that fosters ethical AI use and skill development.
Coworking spaces allow remote employees to access shared resources and tools while promoting healthy conversations with other remote professionals about the growing influence of AI. This can open up more meaningful conversations and provide more reassurance to them as they develop their careers while taking advantage of this technology.
5. Remote Freelancers on the Rise
Companies are turning to remote freelancers, gig workers, and contractors to fill short-term talent shortages and leverage specialist expertise. This looks set to continue as certain job markets struggle to offer stable employment. Meanwhile, this offers benefits for companies and workers alike, where they can both reap the benefits of a wider talent pool, flexibility, cost savings, reduced paperwork and regulatory headaches, among others.
Managing a remote freelance workforce requires a different approach to a team of full-time employees, however. Robust systems and processes must be established from the outset, including background checks and screening, shared project management tools, clear communication protocols, secure collaboration platforms, streamlined payment and invoicing processes, and more.
Coworking spaces provide an ideal environment for remote freelancers and full-time workers, offering a stable space for them to go about their daily business. Coworking spaces also open the doors to networking opportunities, referrals, and resources that can enhance collaboration and productivity.
How to Maximize Your Hybrid Workspace
Navigating the complex landscape of hybrid and remote work in 2024 is not without difficulty, but it’s clear that coworking spaces can be invaluable assets to workers and businesses equally. They provide a proactive solution that addresses challenges and opportunities presented by these trends, enabling companies and workers to thrive in this new era of work.
When considering the design, planning, and execution of a new coworking space arrangement, companies should carefully consider the underlying technology infrastructure, amenities, flexibility, networking and community-building opportunities, and all other factors highlighted above.
Embracing these trends and leveraging the benefits of coworking spaces will facilitate the building of a productive and engaging work environment that sees remote workers feel closer to their employers than ever, despite the geographical distance. Coworker’s flexible office experts and partners will help you find the perfect flexible office solution for your team.
