SOME large companies who fear a long-term decline in productivity have issued return-to-work mandates. As a result, skilled workers who have become used to the WFH lifestyle are resisting the move back to the office.
They aren’t giving up the privileges of no commute, improved work-life balance, and low-cost wardrobes that easily. They’re pulling out all the stops to prove that productivity need not suffer if their remote offices are geared to optimise their efforts.
For those who continue working in their slippers, the once crisp décor of their brand-new home offices gently fades, creating an occasional urge to change scenery. Remote workers are discovering exciting alternatives to a formal home office for getting their daily tasks done.
The Advantages of Alternative Venues
Most remote workers aren’t looking for a permanent change to the home office arrangements. They just need the freshness of new surroundings to give their creativity a boost. That’s when cafés, restaurants, co-working spaces, libraries, and even suitable spots in open-air venues can provide the answer.
When comparing other venues to your home office, you’ll need to examine the safety, noise levels, accessibility, and internet speed available at each venue. Physical comfort is another big factor. If you’re used to an ergonomic office chair, the attraction of freshly brewed coffee and pastries in a quaint coffee shop might fade pretty fast.
But, no matter where you work from, cyber safety must come first. Remote workers often have to use unsecured or public networks. Cybersecurity statistics for Canada show that remote workers face real cybersecurity risks that can be easily reduced with the right repercussions.
CoWorking Spaces
Coworking spaces are great for people who enjoy “going to the office” but want to do so in their own time and on their own terms. They provide a modern, creative, even vibey environment that can give you a productivity boost. Coworking spaces generally offer all office amenities. They have high-speed internet, comfortable furniture, printers, parking, kitchen facilities or coffee and snacks, and meeting or conference rooms for client meetings.
Verdict: Find a coworking space that resonates with your style. The cost ranges from budget to luxury options. You get a great setup far away from bouncy dogs, delivery staff, or kids demanding snacks at inopportune times. Just be sure to always connect to the wifi via your VPN, and practice basic cyber hygiene for all your devices.
Coffee Shops
Coffee shops (or that small authentic trattoria tucked away in an alley) can be an excellent workplace, cocooning you in the low-key buzz of people going about their business. What’s not to love about freshly brewed coffee on tap and a delicious quiche or sandwich just a hand wave away? There are also opportunities to network, including chance encounters on both professional and personal levels.
However, the seats and tables aren’t optimal for sitting hunched over a keyboard for extended periods. Many freelancers use coffee shops for a few highly productive hours every day, then spend the rest of the time in their home offices to get the best of both worlds.
Verdict: If you’re lucky enough to find a great venue, make it worth their while, too. Remember to order a reasonable flow of food and drink and leave a generous tip. Never connect to the wifi without a VPN, as hackers specifically target people using the free wifi in coffee shops, airports, and other public areas.
Public Libraries
Libraries are known for being quiet places. They also offer desks, seating, free wifi, and good lighting in dedicated work areas. You’re surrounded by shelf upon shelf of research material, and they often have basic services like making photocopies.
Verdict: A well-appointed library can be a haven when you do work that requires intense concentration. You’ll have to be discreet when using a phone. Follow their directions about consuming food and drink on the premises, and respect other users (who are also there to concentrate!) Remember to only connect via VPN, as the free wifi may be compromised.
Cybersafety First
Any public Wi-Fi connection is risky unless you use a VPN to encrypt your connection. Without a VPN, attackers can intercept your internet connection to steal your sensitive information and use it for financial fraud or identity theft.
A VPN means “virtual private network,” a software tool that encrypts your network traffic. Encryption “scrambles” the data, making it unreadable to anyone who does not have the decryption code. It also protects your employer’s confidential data and documents shared online.
A VPN can help to avoid “Evil twin” attacks, Man-in-the-middle (MitM) and packet sniffing attacks, where hackers intercept data packets in transit, usually sent on an unsecured Wi-Fi connection. As a bonus, internet service providers (ISPs) can’t track what you do online. With a VPN and an antivirus solution, you’re ready to tackle your work from fresh new work spots.
Bring On the Mini-Getaway
The term remote working allows for a range of options for delivering your work to your employer or clients. Everyone needs the consistency of a well-planned home office setup, but there’s no need to confine yourself to that cramped corner or the gloomy den in the backyard. Take a mini-vacation to a different venue for a few hours or days every week. All you need is a good internet connection, reliable safety measures, a comfortable chair, and you’re flying.