Can coworking enable thriving at work? Insights for the new world of work

The world of work is going through dramatic changes as more individuals are independent workers or employees who work virtually away from a corporate office. We see more gig work in a freelance economy. But what are the implications for workers in this new economy. Sure there are benefits to these more flexible work arrangements but there are also costs. Workers who work primarily from home or a nearby coffee shop often report feeling lonely and isolated from the social aspects of work life. In this talk, we explore the phenomenon of coworking spaces. These are membership-based work spaces that provide a share working environment, a cool design with open tables and quiet work spaces, a variety of amenities, and a work community. In a series of studies, we examine how and why coworking spaces may provide a work environment for independent and remote workers to thrive.