Remote work was on the rise before the COVID-19 pandemic, but the virus caused it to surge more than ever before. Now that more workers (and employers) are seeing the benefits, it's likely that the popularity of remote work is here to stay.
For people who don't have home offices or need to "get away" from everyday distractions, many have sought out coworking spaces. However, the pandemic is still wreaking havoc. Due to the Delta variant and sometimes sluggish vaccine rates, we're not out of the woods yet.
So, if you want to boost your productivity by joining a coworking space, it's important to stay vigilant. Thankfully, there are things you can do to keep yourself and others safe while getting your work done each day.
Be Aware of the Latest Changes
One of the easiest ways to stay safe and healthy is to follow local and national guidelines put in place by public health officials. It might seem like they change on a regular basis, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Often, those changes are moving us forward in a positive direction as the virus starts to lose its grip.
A good rule of thumb is to keep track of what national and local epidemiologists are saying. It's their job to collect and analyze data. That includes keeping track of everything from infection rates to how well the vaccines are working. That data is used by the CDC and local health departments to make suggestions and enforce necessary mandates to keep people safe.
In a coworking space, especially when you're in close quarters with others, making sure everyone is aware of these guidelines is important.
You can do your part by posting up-to-date guidelines regularly within the space, or sending emails to everyone who shares the space. While you might not be able to mandate vaccines or mask-wearing unless you own the building, you can keep people informed. That will help everyone make smarter, healthier choices to keep themselves and others safe.
Communication is more important in a coworking space than most people realize. It's easy to start to feel like a small community or family. By keeping each other well-informed and keeping a constant conversation going, no one will be left in the dark when it comes to the safety precautions they should be taking.
Go Digital Whenever Possible
If you're a freelancer or own a business, coworking spaces are great because they literally allow you to run your business without having to invest in an entire office space.
But, depending on what you do, you might occasionally need to meet with clients. If you're starting to grow your business, you might also need to meet with employees or potential hires.
Not everyone might feel safe with those in-person meetings right now. If your coworking space has a small number of people, bringing others in and out can make the people who work there feel uneasy and unsafe. So, consider going digital with your meetings as often as possible. Use platforms like:
Whether you're meeting with one person or trying to host an event, it's much safer for everyone involved to do it online. You might find that your clients and/or employees appreciate it just as much as everyone else in your coworking space. Because so many people plan on continuing to work remotely, it's often easier for people to connect digitally, since they could be working from anywhere in the world.
Take Responsibility for Your Own Safety
Taking extra precautions while spending time in a coworking space will help to ensure your safety through this pandemic and beyond. You have to do what makes you feel comfortable, especially if you're spending several hours a day sharing a space with others. That can include things like:
- Distancing yourself from other people
- Wearing a mask
- Staying home if you feel sick
- Making sure you're up-to-date with vaccines/boosters
It's also important to clean your individual space before, during, and after your workday. You're likely not the only one who is going to be using that space each day, so keeping things sanitized will help to keep you and whoever else sits there safe and healthy.
There are countless disinfectant cleaning products on the market to choose from, so decide what works best for you and your needs. You might even want to consider "going green" with eco-friendly cleaning products. They're better for your health, skin, and the environment - something everyone in your coworking space will appreciate.
This pandemic won't last forever. But, coworking spaces will likely continue to see a growth in popularity. By doing your part to stay healthy and keep others safe now, we'll be able to get back to normal that much sooner. Keep these tips in mind as you enjoy the benefits of a coworking space, and you won't have to stress over contracting the virus or passing it to someone else.
Ms. Career Girl was started in 2008 to help ambitious young professional women figure out who they are, what they want and how to get it.