Co-working spaces, unlike traditional office workspaces, offer flexibilities in convenience and timing allowing for remote workers and smaller companies to utilise them as office space. Some co-working spaces are available outside working hours, and unrestricted workers may be required to work outside the traditional working hours. These new co-working spaces are considered alternatives to the traditional workspace, encouraging inclusion and togetherness within companies.
In recent years, the users of co-working spaces have been SMEs and startup businesses, proving to be a majority of the users in the co-working space. It is estimated that the number of individuals working in co-working spaces is expected to reach no less than five million by the year 2024, showing an increasing trend of remote workers and an increase in the number of startup businesses.
Despite the increase in demand for co-working spaces, Malaysia is still not in a position to fully utilise them due to its working culture. In this article, we will delve into reasons why Malaysian companies still fail to understand the impact of co-working spaces and therefore not properly utilising them.
Malaysia’s working culture is outdated
It is well documented that Asian countries have heavily adopted and accepted a culture of overworking. Naturally, Malaysia is susceptible to this as having one of the top overworked cities in the world. On average, Malaysians work 15 hours more than their contracted hours each week, stressing the negligence of work-life balance. Malaysia has a cultural expectation of working physically, encouraging face-to-face interactions to prove the employee’s commitment and hard work. This cultural expectation creates pressure for employees to prioritise work over personal time, leading to imbalances in life domains.
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In Malaysian culture, there is a prevalent belief in the value of hard work and dedication, often reflected in the practice of entering the office early and leaving late. Malaysians, like many other Asian cultures, place a high value on a strong work ethic. This includes being punctual, dedicated, and committed to putting in the necessary time and effort to achieve professional goals. This belief has caused employees in Asian countries to suffer from overwork, leading to a decrease in productivity.
Malaysian companies are incapable of being flexible, causing negligence in employee work-life balance and prioritising company goals as compared to the well-being of their employees. Furthermore, because Malaysian companies cannot offer this benefit to their employees, gig work has appeared as a more appealing alternative for Malaysians as it allows them to be flexible with their working hours. This eventually causes a concern for a shortage of skilled workers in the future.
The precedent of routine behaviour is shown when employees show up to work at the office every weekday, following the same habits and lifestyle choices to prepare for work. This resistance to change causes companies in Malaysia to be inflexible with the working environment, causing dissatisfaction and discontent within the employee ranks unwilling to work, disrupting productive workflow. These cultures and policies must change if we as a society want to grow and evolve into an efficient working culture. So, how else can we change the stagnant culture of remaining in routine?
Co-working spaces offer flexibility and accessibility that traditional workplaces fail to provide
One of the biggest advantages of coworking spaces is the flexibility that they offer. With flexible membership options and the ability to work from anywhere, you can easily fit work into your schedule instead of the other way around. Meaning you can work on your terms without sacrificing your personal time and life.
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Co-working spaces also often prioritise work-life balance by offering amenities such as lounges, relaxation areas, and wellness programs. This holistic approach supports the well-being of employees, helping individuals to maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life.
Employees, especially in the tech field, can utilise co-working spaces if they wish to avoid distractions from home or office. Co-working spaces offer a professional environment, utilising high-speed internet, meeting rooms, and shared common areas for companies to interact and work together. Co-working spaces should also consider operating 24/7 to cater to working outside business hours. This allows for companies to work on odd hours not restricting themselves to the boundaries of official business hours.
Co-working space also provides options for accessibility, aiming to allow ease of transport and convenience to the co-working space. Accessibility is also an important factor in the working environment, as convenience impacts the employees’ productivity. By utilising co-working spaces, employees can avoid the pestering office politics and the trouble of commuting to work.
In conclusion, co-working spaces act as a solution to negate the negative working culture and the inflexible work-life balance by providing amenities and services that allow the employees to thrive.
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