There has been some discussion on social media about companies moving to almost exclusively remote work for their employees. While many people are enthusiastic about the transition, others are tired of working from home.
Open concept home designs are great for entertaining. However, without a separate room to create a private office space, you risk being Zoom-bombed by family members. At home, there is always housework to do, and that is a distraction for many people. Then, there is the psychological factor of going someplace else to work and “turning off” work when you are home. That is hard to do in an open concept house when you can see your desk from every angle. Here are some alternatives to working from home when you are a remote worker.
Public Library
Libraries are quiet. They have free internet (although streaming might be limited) and big tables to spread out your work. Many libraries also have quiet study carrels or small study rooms you can book for free or with only a minimal charge. They also have low-cost photocopiers, printers, and scanners that patrons can use. However, most libraries do not allow food or drinks and their workstations may not be ergonomically designed.
Outdoors
The great outdoors doesn’t have internet access, and no one designs park benches and picnic tables as ergonomic workstations. However, being in green spaces such as parks and playgrounds improves our mental health. Fresh air and sunlight can increase our mood and productivity, so consider scheduling a few hours a week outdoors. Montreal has recognized this and installed over 20 “îlots d’été” (summer islands). These universally accessible work areas are located throughout the city. They have electricity, free internet, and lighting for the night owls.
Coworking Spaces
Coworking spaces have everything you would need in an office – comfortable office furniture, great high-speed internet, access to a kitchenette, printing, mailbox rental, large and small meeting rooms, etc. They are also a great opportunity to network with other like-minded professionals, create mastermind groups, and work with mentors. However, coworking spaces can be expensive. They usually offer a range of prices from “sit anywhere” desks in an open area to dedicated private offices. Some coworking spaces require a monthly or annual membership. Others offer month-to-month, cancel-anytime contracts. You can do an internet search for “coworking spaces [your neighbourhood]” or check out this article to learn more about coworking spaces in Vancouver.
Your Friend’s House
If a friend or colleague is also a remote worker, consider creating a coworking space at each other’s homes on alternating weeks. With someone working in your house, you are less likely to be distracted by your housework. You could even share the cost of someone to care for your children while you worked. You and your friend likely have good internet connections in your homes, access to food and drink, a clean washroom, and extra office supplies (if your pen runs out of ink). The challenging part would be to create an equitable arrangement that includes contingencies if one person cannot host on their assigned days.
Coffee Shops & Other Businesses
Coffee shops, hotels, bookstores, museums, and shopping mall food courts are often suggested as remote work locations because they have free internet and good coffee. But those spaces are not ergonomically designed for working and become very loud during mealtimes. You might lose focus when you hear a familiar topic in a nearby conversation. Plus, packing up your stuff to go to the bathroom and returning to find your seat taken can become frustrating. Remember that businesses can set their policies to exclude people who are not paying customers, so think twice before you set up in, for example, a hotel lobby, even if you do buy something at their coffee shop.
Other Remote Work Location Options
If you live in a condo or strata, you might be able to work in the lobby or lounge. They may have a guest suite you could rent on an occasional basis.
Community centres often have rooms to rent. Consider renting and sharing a larger meeting room with a few remote worker colleagues in your neighbourhood.
Universities and colleges have many accessible spaces with reliable internet services, but you will probably need to be either a current student or alumnus to use their facilities. That might be the excuse you need to enroll in a continuing education course and get a student ID card.
Houses of worship are quiet places, especially on days when no services (or choir practices) are scheduled. If you are a regular attendee, ask the office staff or spiritual leader if you can use the space. If you are not a regular attendee, ask if they rent space. The fees may be within your budget.
If you have a favourite remote work location, please let us know about it. We’d be happy to share it with our readers in our monthly newsletter. If you want some help organizing your home to create a home office for remote work, contact us through the Out of Chaos website, by email at info@outofchaos.ca or by phone at 604-813-8189.
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