Making coworking more accessible isn't just the right move for businesses prioritizing DEI initiatives—it's good business sense. 84% of employees report being more motivated in coworking spaces, and companies that make accessibility part of their mission tend to have 28% higher revenues than other businesses. One of the easiest ways to work toward both objectives is by supplementing your hybrid work policies with a coworking space that suits all your employees' needs and preferences. Take these steps to zero in on the right policy decisions and coworking space for your organization.
1. Standardize Hybrid Work With Clear-Cut Policies
Before you start making big changes to your company's hybrid office work arrangements, make an official, standardized policy. All your staff should have a clear understanding of what is and isn't allowed under your policy, such as:
- When employees can work from home or out of the office
- What 'on the clock' availability is expected for salaried employees
- How employees can request exemptions and support to make sure they have what they need to accomplish work
Have your HR and legal teams create a clear policy document and make it part of your comprehensive employee guide so current and future employees are on the same page.
2. Identify Coworking Spaces With a Wide Variety of Different Work Environments
Conventional office spaces are no longer a good fit for most organizations and employees. Instead, your employees have become accustomed to a wide range of different work environments and work styles; this should be reflected in your chosen coworking space. For example, your employees may need:
- Spaces that are very quiet and guarantee some degree of solitude for deep work.
- Rooms with different degrees of natural and artificial lighting.
- Wide hallways and properly sized desks for accommodating wheelchairs and other mobility needs.
- Access to an on-site kitchen or cafeteria to meet dietary and blood sugar needs.
Many employees used to WFH policies during the pandemic may argue that their homes are more accommodating for specific needs, while many organizations may argue that the need for in-person communication and collaboration is business-critical. Both sides are right, so finding multifaceted environments that satisfy both sets of needs is the only strategy forward. Search for a coworking space that has hospitality services and a kitchen, as well as multiple different types of workspaces.
3. Make Sure the Building Is ADA-Compliant and Comfortable for All Employees' Mobility Needs
ADA compliance is non-negotiable for today's businesses, but many coworking spaces may not make the cut. There need to be elevators, hallways and restrooms that meet or exceed ADA guidelines, furniture that accommodates wheelchairs, and tools that equip people with visual or auditory disabilities with everything they need to navigate the space. Look for a space that openly describes itself as ADA-compliant.
4. Regularly Ask for Feedback From Your Team
At this point in the list, you've already made sweeping changes to how your organization navigates hybrid office work. Make sure your changes are on the right track by asking employees for feedback. During one-on-ones or through anonymous team surveys, gather insights like:
- What accessibility requirements they feel haven't been satisfactorily addressed.
- Their assessment of the coworking space.
- Future accessibility-focused changes they'd like to see.
- Their satisfaction with employment in your organization.
Through these insights, you can revise your policies, quantify the ROI of your changes, and know how to move forward through the rest of 2024 and beyond.
5. Make Sure the Space Has Everything You Need for Accessible Meetings
Ideally, your entire team will attend meetings in a shared space. So, your coworking office will need:
- Large meeting rooms with ergonomic and spacious furniture.
- A/V systems to ensure everyone can participate.
- Enough parking so everyone can be in the same place at once.
However, just like office work and collaboration have been moving into the virtual sphere, virtual accessibility also matters. So, your perfect coworking space will also need to deliver:
- Virtual services for managing meetings, such as videoconferencing software with closed captions and subscription tools.
- Virtual reception services so business operations can continue during all-hands or departmental meetings.
- Recording platforms so people across different timezones and schedules still get the insights they need.
The Right Coworking Space Is a Fundamental Part of Your Hybrid Work Strategy
Hybrid work arrangements bring together the best elements of WFH and traditional office work arrangements. The right coworking space will make all the difference in making this a reality and giving your entire team the space and resources that they need to get down to business. At Quest Workspaces, we provide dynamic office spaces, hospitality services, and virtual services that are accessible and can help you meet your accessibility and DEI goals.
Reach out today to find a local office space near your team. Our offices are located across New York City and the greater Miami, Florida area.
