Work From Home Racking Up Your Energy Costs? Checkout our cost-effective coworking spaces!

Date: Tue Aug 23 Author: Chelliah Nakeeran

The idea to work from home couldn’t have come at a worse time. As energy consumption was ramped up during the lockdown, the supply of fossil fuels was heavily depleted. Energy companies have since raised their prices to keep up with current demands.

Energy prices have increased by 66% since October 2021. And the government is contemplating a further increase of 40-50% this coming October.

The average cost of household energy bills in 2021 was £1400 a year. It is estimated this figure will rocket to over £3600 this winter. Employers and employees are feeling the weight of the rise in home utility costs.

In times of economic pressure, every cost-saving on offer can help businesses and employees to navigate lean periods. If you’re concerned about running up an energy bill you will struggle to pay, a cost-effective solution is to take advantage of local coworking spaces.

BluDesks make finding a cost-effective coworking space near you even easier. With a single login, you have access to hundreds of affordable hotdesks, private offices and meeting rooms. And coworking spaces also offer several other benefits.

Working With Others

Coworking spaces are great working environments for people that prefer to spend time around others. Whether you operate better when you’re surrounded by the buzz of a busy office or you feel lonely and isolated working from home, coworking spaces are a great place to be around people.

Businesses also have the opportunity to expand their network. Lots of other companies take advantage of shared office space so you never know which doors will open for you. For freelancers, coming into contact with other businesses can be invaluable for building your client base and your portfolio.

But for people that do feel lonely and isolated working from home, being around other people helps you to nurture your emotional well-being. The statistics collected during the pandemic highlighted what damaging effects feelings of isolation and loneliness can have on your mental well-being.

Loneliness is linked with depression. During the lockdown, the number of people with depression in the UK increased by 28%. This is a strong indication that feeling isolated can play a significant role in your emotional well-being.

Cost-Effective Coworking Offices

When it comes to finding a coworking space near you, BluDesks make it as easy as possible. We provide you with a platform that hosts multiple coworking spaces all over the UK so it’s easy to find the ideal space close to your home.

Taking advantage of coworking spaces in your local area cuts down on the cost of travel and enables you to manage your time better. You could even walk or cycle to work to give your personal well-being an extra little boost.

And with coworking spaces available for as little as £2, our cost-effective solutions can help you to get through a potentially tricky financial period. You can turn your heating off whilst you’re not at home.

Working From Home vs Coworking Spaces – Know the New Normal!

Date: Mon Aug 8 Author: Chelliah Nakeeran

The flexibility offered by hybrid working is prompting more businesses to adopt a different way of working. Data coming from the Office of National Statistics show the number of businesses adopting the hybrid model increased from 13% to 24% between February and March this year.

Other reports suggest that 8 in 10 UK firms are planning to switch to hybrid working. Yet the workforce is torn between working from home and working in the office. There are, of course, pros and cons to both options.

Advantages of Working From Home

During the pandemic when companies were forced to send their employees home, it was noted that there was an uplift in productivity. This was due to a variety of reasons, but in general, working from home simply gives employees more time to focus on their work. Some remote workers also report they feel less stress.

The most notable benefit of working from home is they don’t have to commute. This saves employees invaluable time to spend with their family and friends and more money to engage in things they love to do.

Yet the home is not the best place for everyone to focus and be productive. Studies reveal that 61% of remote workers complain about feeling lonely and isolated. This impairs emotional well-being and impacts the ability to focus.

Another report indicates that 70 per cent of people working from home say combining work with the responsibilities of home life causes more stress. WFH employees with children and curious spouses cause them to lose their concentration whilst others are lured by the TV and the packet of biscuits in the cupboard.

Advantages of Coworking Space

Working in a professional environment can help to flick a switch in the minds of employees that are struggling to focus. Coworking spaces can help employees ‘start their motor’ in the morning.

There may also be a necessity to work in an office. Coworking spaces give you access to amenities most people don’t have at home together. There is also a built-in support system from teammates and other professionals that solves the problem of loneliness and isolation.

Balancing Costs

Some businesses find the cost of coworking spaces v working from home prohibitive. The general operating model of most shared office providers locks you into monthly contracts – and in most cases, you are paying for services you don’t use or need.

BluDesks resolve the issues of cost by offering pay-as-you-use coworking space and meeting rooms. With our business model, you have an easier time managing your business costs and organising your workforce. We also give you access to hundreds of coworking spaces all over the UK so your employees can choose an office that is most convenient for them.

With BluDesks, you book shared office space by the hour. So to manage your costs, all you need to do is set a budget and work within your limits. For more details, contact a member of our friendly team today, or simply sign up for a Corporate Membership.

Cool-Off In Air-Conditioned Coworking Spaces

Date: Mon Jul 25 Author: Chelliah Nakeeran

You may have a cool job that enables you to work from home, but do you have a cool home where you can work without melting?

The fact of the matter is that the UK is not prepared for heat waves. With temperatures reaching between 38 and 40 degrees celsius, working from home without air-conditioning is unbearable.

The UK’s biggest commercial radio brand, heart.co.uk say that employers have an obligation to ensure their employees are working in a “reasonable environment, adding:

“While most offices have air-con to keep you cool while you’re working, people working from home are often stuck suffering in the blistering weather, especially if they live in a poorly ventilated house.”

If you’re a freelancer, or work-from-home employee struggling to focus on your work due to in the blazing heat, why not take advantage of the air-conditioned offices available in hundreds of coworking spaces across the UK.

Cool Office Space

In recent years, coworking spaces have evolved to accommodate freelancers, entrepreneurs and corporate companies under the same roof. Following the Covid-19 pandemic, shared spaces were obligated to install proper ventilation and air ducts that do not recirculate air.

As a result, the majority of coworking spaces throughout the UK have air-conditioning which is deemed safe by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE).

Affordable Coworking Spaces

BluDesks has an impressive property portfolio of coworking spaces all over the UK. Our pay-as-you-use business model means you can book space at times that suit you. And with hundreds of coworking spaces available for as little as £2 an hour, you have instant access to multiple coworking spaces that give you more control over your budget.

Fully-Equipped Offices

Coworking spaces are equipped with facilities you would expect in any fully-functioning office – scanners, photocopiers, TV/audio equipment etc. This includes access to meeting rooms and, of course, air conditioning. Offices with modern designs even have kitchenettes and chill-out zones.

Convenient Location

Finding a coworking space near you is simple with BluDesks. We have teamed up with hundreds of coworking spaces throughout the UK – so you can find and book a selection of conveniently located hot desks and meeting rooms without having to commute into the office.

Hotspots For Growth

Coworking offices provide a space for a diverse range of professionals to congregate and meet new people. As a result, shared office spaces are potential hotspots that enable freelancers, start-ups and SMEs to expand their networks and grow their businesses.

Upscale Work Environments

BluDesks make it easy for professionals to find a cool place to work. With a single login, you have access to hundreds of plush coworking offices all over the UK. If your home is too hot to focus on your work, sign-up today and finds an air-conditioned office or meeting room near you to cool off.

Feeling Lonely And Isolated Working From Home?

Date: Tue Feb 22 Author: Chelliah Nakeeran

Working from home has been called “a recipe for loneliness”. Several studies reveal that feeling lonely and isolated can have a negative impact on mental, physical and emotional health.

Mind.org notes that some studies have shown that losing the social contact you had in the workplace can harm your mental health. When people feel isolated, they feel lonely which plays into their state of mind.

People that don’t feel part of a group or that they belong, are most prone to developing mental disorders. At the very least, people don’t feel the relationship with their colleague has any meaning – and that can disrupt the rapport and harmony among colleagues.

During the lockdown, reports of waning mental health reached a peak. And researchers think the estimates are conservative. The most common disorders of loneliness are anxiety, insomnia, digestive problem and symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Loneliness could even lead to depression which will make you become even more isolated because you don’t have the motivation to go out and socialise with your friends.

One study published by Brigham Young University showed that a lack of social connection also increases health risks in smokers – because they use more cigarettes – and can also lead to alcohol abuse.

Company makes you more creative

People are more creative when they interact. Even a casual chat around the water cooler can trigger a spark of inspiration or stroke your emotional wellbeing.

Who can forget Marissa Mayer recalling remote workers back to the Yahoo office because she believed the small interactions colleagues have can lead to the biggest ideas. If you want innovation, you need interaction.

Multiple studies show that when people get together they are more creative because they inspire one another. But creatively works best when employees are given the flexibility to collaborate with colleagues and be given alone time to process.

There is little doubt that creativity in the workplace leads to positive outcomes, increased job satisfaction, less absenteeism and better talent retention.

Co-working spaces and meeting rooms

Companies that have taken the decision to work remotely should take advantage of co-working spaces to bring your team together. Because you can rent flexible co-working spaces and meeting rooms by the hour, you can manage your budget and your time more effectively.

With BluDesks, you’re not limited to one location either. We have co-working offices all over London (the world actually) and don’t tie you into long-term contracts.

We find that modern businesses prefer flexible arrangements because it allows their employees to meet up and collaborate where and when they like. Some people use our services just to hang out with their workmates to prevent feeling lonely and isolated.

With the growing focus on mental health and wellbeing in the workplace, co-working spaces provide businesses of all sizes with a cost-effective opportunity to show your employees how much you care and appreciate them.

Booking co-working spaces or meeting rooms are straightforward. And with a BluDesks pass, you have access to over 1500 co-working spaces all over the world all in one place. Why not take a look.