Coworking: how to prepare employees for flexible working?

Telecommuting, flex office, coworking: work patterns have evolved rapidly over the last few years. And while they are forcing companies to rethink their business models, they are also necessitating a rethink of the rules and frameworks to be set for employees. As coworking spaces win over more and more employees, how can companies support this shift towards greater flexibility, without losing cohesion or performance? Here are a few tips!

Flexible office space: a model that's still booming

Already in 2020, according to a study by Coworking Resources and Coworker, the number of coworking spaces worldwide was projected to exceed 40,000 by 2024, with market growth of over 15% per year until 2030. The coworking phenomenon was well established.

These figures have been confirmed over the years, underlining the growing adoption of hybrid spaces, particularly in the flexible workspace market in France. The model has become part of the daily lives of French employees and companies alike, and shows no signs of weakening. Quite the contrary, in fact!

In Paris, for example, the average penetration rate of the flexible office is 5.4%, according to a recent analysis by Wojo. It ranges from 8.6% to 14% in the 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th & 18th arrondissements, demonstrating a market firmly established in the heart of the capital. Flexible office space in Paris represents the equivalent of 23% of demand for traditional office space, and around 350,000 m² of operated office space will be available in Paris by 2025, representing almost 70% of the national supply.

The phenomenon also concerns large companies. Many of them, such as Orange, L'Oréal, BNP Paribas and Accor, have forged partnerships with networks such as Wojo and Spaces, offering their employees the possibility of working from third places, as close to home as possible.

The challenges of switching to coworking

While shared workspaces can improve employee well-being, concentration and autonomy, they also raise a number of questions: How can team spirit be maintained when everyone works in their own way and at their own pace? What rules need to be established to preserve the confidentiality of information? What tools and managerial attitudes should be adopted to manage remote work?
The move to coworking represents much more than a simple change of scenery: it profoundly transforms working methods, raising questions about team cohesion, management, security and fairness.
Collective rituals need to be rethought, and management must evolve towards greater trust and autonomy, while ensuring that a clear framework is established, particularly in terms of cybersecurity and confidentiality.and confidentiality, and to guarantee equal access to resources for all employees.
When properly supervised, coworking or working from a flexible space can become a lever for attractiveness and well-being. It must be part of an inclusive, secure and sustainable management culture.

Preparing employees: 4 key levers

1. Establish a culture of trust

In a flexible environment, trust is essential. This requires clear objectives, employee empowerment and progressive autonomy. The Axa Group, which has adopted hybrid working for 100% of its employees, relies on training managers in remote leadership. The number and days of the " team days" are left to the employees' free choice. "It's clear that this day of sharing contributes greatly to team cohesion. For the rest of the week, work can be flexibly distributed and planned to suit individual preferences. " says one of the employees.

2. Training to work in a coworking space

Working in a coworking space can't be improvised. You have to learn to adapt to new rhythms, manage distractions, and use digital tools effectively. Some companies offer e-learning modules or best practice kits for employees and managers alike. The VYV Group, for example, has experimented with flexible working support programs in several regions.

3. Hybridizing team rituals

Social ties remain a cornerstone. It is essential to create regular moments of synchronization (video meetings, team meetings, virtual cafés), as well as face-to-face time.

4. Provide a flexible but secure framework

The company must ensure data security (VPN, secure access), employee well-being (ergonomic furniture, work/life balance), and cover part of the costs (coworking subscriptions, transport). While for some companies, the choice of spaces can be left to employees, the trend is more towards the deployment of partnerships between coworking brands and companies to ensure a similar model quality for all employees.

Flexible working is a fundamental transformation. It redefines the spaces, links and temporalities of work. And while it is progressing in a reasoned way, it is nonetheless a "must have" today! With the right support - from a flexible workspace expert like workin.space, for example - coworking can become a powerful lever for commitment, efficiency and attractiveness. But without a framework or support, it also risks widening gaps and fragmenting groups. Let's hear it!