Page 66 - Scholarship Guide Aug 2020

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Was working from home during the recent covid-outbreak an un- There are many benefi ts to completing tasks in the comfort of co-
planned preview to what the future offi ce landscape may look like? working spaces. For starters, you will not be interrupted as much
In contrast to the boomer generation, we are inching away from tra- with the whirring sound of a coffee machine at odd timings, the
ditional working lifestyles and if we dare think, even physical offi ce incessant sliding of doors from people entering or exiting the of-
buildings. During this pandemic, we have experienced the impacts of fi ce every few minutes, powering through with sheer concentration
working from home. Some of the main challenges employees faced through loud conversations being held over phone calls, excessive
was the inability to keep separate work and home affairs while shar- clutter in shared workspaces and a myriad of other distractions a
ing the same space. On the fl ipside, many others have been able to regular offi ce carries. Many employees around the world have ex-
strike a better work-life balance with the availability of spare pockets pressed how these seemingly “small” distractions negatively impact
of time which would otherwise be spent commuting back and forth their effi ciency by fragmenting their attention while completing
the offi ce or being requested to work late or attend other corporate
functions.
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“Co-working spaces” as the name suggests, is a communal setup
replicating a modern offi ce environment where freelancers or fl exible
workers are welcome to work and occupy the premises while sharing
common infrastructure (such as utilities, pantry refreshments, recep-
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tionists, parcel services, and more) at an economical rental rate. From
meeting rooms to hot desks, there are endless options catering to the
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varying business needs of our diverse world today. According to the
co-working handbook, 2019 saw a 20% growth in co-working spaces
within the year. It is said that, “the average co-working space in Asia
has 205 members, more than on any other continent.”

Jumping on this growing trend, some companies in Singapore have
allowed employees the fl exibility to work from home or inhabit other
conducive work spaces in their efforts to promote a vibrant and ef-
fi cient working culture. Imagine serene background music, natural
light, and moderated air temperatures to keep you energised and
refreshed throughout your working hours. It sure does sound good.