The Work-life Insight
Every week, we gather the highlights you missed in the news this week in Hoboken + Jersey City. Among the local headlines: the Hoboken City Council approved a one-year contract for the community to use the pool at Stevens; Jersey City is set to receive $426K to beautify the community; Drag Queen Story Hour returns to the Hoboken Public Library; and so much more. Keep reading for all the news you missed this week in Hoboken, Jersey City, + beyond.
Hoboken Early Voting Underway for Primary Election
In-person early voting for the Tuesday, June 7th Primary Election is available until 6PM on Sunday, June 5th. Registered voters can cast their ballot in person, using a voting machine in the conference room on the first floor of Hoboken City Hall. Residents can also cast their ballot at their registered polling place on Tuesday, June 7th from 6AM to 8PM.
Salt + Ginger Opens on Grove Street in Jersey City
A new restaurant has taken over the former spot of Wild Fusion. Salt + Ginger,a new Chinese eatery, has opened at 313 Grove Street in downtown Jersey City. The location joins several other restaurants on Grove Street across from Jersey City Hall, within a short walk from the Grove Street PATH station. The restaurant is still in its soft opening stages, but it’s already a hit among the community. Click here to read about Salt + Ginger, now open in Jersey City.
Jersey City’s New Thanh Hoai Closes Permanently
New Thanh Hoai, located at 234 10th Street in Jersey City, has officially closed as of Tuesday, May 31st, per Jersey City Upfront. The restaurant featured an extensive menu including pho and short rib noodle soup.
City of Hoboken Kicks Off Pride Events on Monday
Starting at 5PM on Monday, June 6th, the City of Hoboken is kicking off a series of events for Pride Month. The first event includes a flag raising at City Hall, located at 94 Washington Street. Click here for the full list of events.
Peruvian + Italian Fusion Restaurant ‘Ragazzo’ Opens in The Heights
Ragazzo Restaurant, an Italian and Peruvian eatery, recently opened in The Heights in Jersey City. Ragazzo is more than a fusion restaurant — it’s a partnership between a mom from Peru who loves to cook and an Italian man from a popular pizzeria in town. Click here to read about Ragazzo Restaurant, located at 3417 John F. Kennedy Boulevard.
Annual Jersey City Jazz Festival Returns to Arts District
The Powerhouse Arts District in Jersey City is scheduled to be full of music this weekend, per NJ.com. On Sunday, June 5th, local bands will play live music on two stages set up in the lot at 107 Morgan Street. Before becoming an annual event, the Jersey City Jazz Festival began in 2013 as a community concert.
2 Hoboken Farmers Markets Officially Open This Week
Two city-run farmers markets will be officially opening for the season next week. The Southwest Park Farmers Market is brand new and it will be open on Thursdays starting on June 9th. The Church Square Park Farmers Market returns for its 26th season on Tuesday, June 7th. Click here to read more about these farmers markets.
City of Hoboken Signs One-Year Contract to Use Stevens Pool for Residents
On Wednesday, June 1st, the Hoboken City Council voted on a proposed one-year contract to use the pool at Stevens Institute of Technology. According to Patch, users must be Hoboken residents and vaccinated against COVID-19. As of right now, an opening date has not been set. Click here to read more about what we know.
Police + Bystander Revive Man Aboard Train at Hoboken PATH Station
Port Authority Police and a bystander saved a man in a medical emergency onboard a train, per Tap Into. The incident happened at the Hoboken PATH station on Thursday, May 26th. The police officers and the bystander, who was a physician’s assistant, were able to revive the man and transport him to Christ’s Hospital in Jersey City.
Jersey City Receives Over $426K to Beautify Neighborhoods
Jersey City is set to receive over $426K to remove litter and beautify the community, per Tap Into. This money comes from a Clean Communities grant. This is just one grant that will be given in New Jersey as The Department of Environmental Protection distributed more than $21.4 million in Clean Communities grants.
Jersey City to Vote on New Public Library Branch Location
On Thursday, June 16th, the Jersey City Council will vote on the possible location for a new branch of the Free Public Library, per Jersey Digs. A newly finished development located at 297 Johnston Avenue in Jersey City has 8,000 square feet of ground floor space the city acquired the rights to. The council will vote on whether or not this space is ideal for this specific project.
World’s Largest Ice Cream Eating Contest Happening in Hoboken On 6/12
The “Mile Square Meltdown” ice cream festival will be on June 12th and it will also include the “largest ice cream eating contest in the world,” per Patch. More than 160 people have signed up to compete. This event will be part of the monthly Artisan Market run by Main Street Pops. The ticket sales will be donated to the Hoboken Family Alliance in order to help support the annual summer food drive.
Hoboken Continues Paving Roads: An Update
Hoboken is continuing to pave roads, per Patch. They recently repaved 14th Street as a part of the city’s 2022 Resurfacing and Complete Streets Program. For more information on the construction schedule for the city, you can click here.
Hoboken’s BookBike is Back to Lend/Return Library Materials
Hoboken’s BookBike will once again be hitting the streets this month, per Tap Into. This bike will begin to be out twice a week and it will lend and return library materials, share wireless internet, and even issue library cards. The first day it is out will be June 6th at Pier A Park on 100 Sinatra Drive.
$25 Million Loan Approved to Refinance Hoboken’s ShopRite
JLL has arranged a $25 million loan for the refinancing of a shopping center, per Rebusiness Online. Grocer ShopRite, located at 900 Madison Avenue in Hoboken, will be fully leased by the time the loan closes. The loan carries a 10-year term and a fixed interest rate.
Jersey City to Establish Early Dismissal on Hot Days
Jersey City Public Schools’ Interim Superintendent Norma Fernandez says that she is hoping to establish a policy that will allow for early dismissal on hot days, per NJ.com. This helps keep students and teachers out of the sweltering classrooms. Out of the 46 buildings owned by the school district, 33 of them do not have air conditioning.
Jersey City Night Market is Back at City Hall
The Jersey City Night Market returns to help the community support small businesses, per NJ.com. The first night market of the year was on Saturday, June 4th from 4PM to 10PM at the City Hall Lot on Marin Boulevard and Montgomery Street. This event is open to the public and free of charge.
JLL Receives $88 Million Loan for Urby Development
Journal Square’s spin on the Urby development has been given a major financial push to finish the job, per Jersey Digs. Jones Lang LaSalle Capital Markets recently announced they closed on an $88.34 million loan. This project will include 317 units and span 25 floors once it is complete.
Drag Queen Story Hour Returns to Hoboken Public Library
The Hoboken Public Library will be kicking off Pride Month with a Drag Queen Story Hour, per Tap Into. Harmonica Sunbeam will be reading stories, telling jokes, and singing songs at the DQSH on June 8th starting at 10:30AM in Church Square Park. The library says the story hour is open to children of all ages and that registration to the event is required. Click here to see other pride events in the area.
Hoboken-Based Culina Health Secures $4.75M in Funding
According to a press release, Culina Health announced it has secured $4.75M in funding. Based in Hoboken, Culina Health offers personalized, science-backed virtual nutrition coaching from local experts. According to PR News Wire, Culina Health is the only platform in the market providing clinical-level, integrated care management in a scalable and cost-effective way.
Hoboken Parking Enforcement Officers to Wear Body Cameras
The Hoboken Police Department will be expanding the use of body cameras beyond just police officers. Parking enforcement agents will now also wear body cams as part of a two-month pilot program. During this period, several of the city’s parking enforcement officers will be wearing body cams while on duty. You can click here to read more about this initiative recently passed by the Hoboken City Council.
Prisoners from Cumberland to be Transported to Hudson County Corrections
Hudson County Corrections and Rehabilitation Center in Kearny will begin accepting inmates who were formerly housed in the Cumberland County Jail, per Tap Into. This follows a decision that was made in late December.
Lokal Eatery + Bar in Jersey City Expands Open Hours
Lokal Eatery + Bar, located at 2 2nd Street in Jersey City, has announced an expanded schedule which means more time to enjoy great food and an even better view. According to Instagram, the bar will be open for lunch on Thursdays and Fridays from 11:30AM to 2PM. Reservations can be made online or by calling 201-222-6800.
902 Brewing Jersey City Americana Music Festival Happening in Late June
The 902 Brewing Jersey City Americana Music Festival will be happening this summer. According to this Instagram post, the festival will take place on June 25th at the brewery. There will be vendors, food trucks, and music including Steel Press, Viktor.Digital, Sean Tobin + The Boardwalk Fire, Jackson Pines, Widely Grown, and Grateful Dead Jamboree.
Woman Referee from New Jersey Joins NFL Refs
Referee Robin DeLorenzo will officially be joining the NFL as one of three women referee professionals, per NJ.com. The Instagram post reads, “Robin DeLorenzo! 👏 The Nutley native got her start reffing high school football games here in New Jersey in 2004. This fall, she’ll be one of 3 women referees on the field in the National Football League.”
Bombay Tea Rooms Announces First Collaboration
The Bombay Tea Rooms announced its first-ever collaboration happening later this month. The post reads, “Manasi takes the traditional Afternoon Tea and gives it a whirl of spices and flavors. Come and experience the taste sensations of our first Bombay Tea Rooms.” The first event will be held at the Stingray Lounge in Hoboken on Saturday, June 11th. Seatings are at 11AM + 12:30PM. The second event will be held at the Reeves-Reed Arboretum in Summit on Sunday, June 26th. Seatings will be at 11:30AM + 2PM.
WorkSocial Coworking Space Expands Jersey City Headquarters
According to a press release, WorkSocial is expanding its Jersey City Coworking Space headquarters. This new development will expand the existing space to 14,000 square feet, increasing the number of rooms available to reserve for coworking. WorkSocial will continue to offer the amenities such as secure server access, shipping + mailing, an onsite notary, complimentary high-speed Wifi, printing, hot breakfast, lunch services, and beverages + snacks.
Hoboken Girl Scout Receives Gold Award
Amanda Tennaro was awarded the Girl Scout Gold Award, per a press release. This Hoboken Girl Scout was awarded the highest, most prestigious and challenging award for a Girl Scout to obtain for her work in establishing the pet food pantry with the Hoboken Community Center to help serve clients. Amanda is part of Girl Scouts Hearts of NJ.
First Round of Jersey City’s Arts and Culture Trust Fund Grants Announced
Mayor Steven M. Fulop joined City Council members and the Arts and Culture Trust Fund Committee to announce the first round of grant funding through Jersey City’s Arts and Culture Trust Fund. According to a press release, they gave out nearly $900k in grants to provide support to 89 artists and arts organizations throughout Jersey City. This first round of grants will include opportunities for programming and arts education.
Memorial Event Honors Late Jersey City Musician
On Friday, June 3rd, friends gathered to celebrate the life of Charles “Chuck” Daly, a much-beloved tattoo artist, musician and DJ in Jersey City. Chuck passed away on March 13th. The event featured a memorial concert at White Eagle Hall in Jersey City where friends and ex-bandmates paid tribute to Chuck’s contributions to the local music scene.
WorkSocial, a coworking space with locations in New Jersey and New York, announced the expansion of its Jersey City headquarters at 111 Town Square Place, 12th floor. WorkSocial's latest expansion grows the size of its headquarters to 14,000 square feet from 8,400, and will increase...
WorkSocial, a coworking space with locations in New Jersey and New York, announced the expansion of its Jersey City headquarters at 111 Town Square Place, 12th floor.
WorkSocial’s latest expansion grows the size of its headquarters to 14,000 square feet from 8,400, and will increase the company’s number of private offices, day offices, coworking spaces, virtual offices and conference rooms — with premium amenities including virtual reception service, secure server access, shipping and mailing, onsite notary and complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, printing, hot breakfast, lunch, beverages and snacks.
Three thousand square feet of the new expansion space has already been allocated to a nationally recognized business.
“As a resident and business owner in Jersey City, I couldn’t be more proud to expand the office space of our headquarters,” said Natasha Mohan, founder and CEO. “This marks a new milestone of growth for our company, and the expansion of our services to business owners and entrepreneurs in the New Jersey and New York metro areas.”
Bringing over 20 years of diverse experience in hospitality, management, retail, real estate and artistry, Mohan culminated her talents into leading WorkSocial, a company that she refers to as “a movement of happiness.” Mohan founded the company with the motto “Connect. Create. Grow,” and connecting people has become her “superpower” that her clients rely on.
The feng shui incorporated throughout the architectural and interior design amplifies both the simplicity and functionality of the space.
What sets WorkSocial apart is the personalization of its services to not only be functional, but meet the individual needs of each business.
“When a client’s birthday comes up, we’ll arrange for a cake for them. Gluten-free or other dietary restrictions? We will provide you with a nutritious lunch that meets your needs accordingly,” Mohan said. “These personalized services are what makes our clients look forward to coming to the office.”
The world of work is ever-evolving, and the ‘work is work’ principles of then have no standing in the future of remote work. However, you would be surprised to know that ideas such as ‘work is what you do to make a living so you can make money and do other things, like buy a house and raise a family,’ are part of a philosophy that dominated most people's outlook on life till as recently as a few decades ago.
In the past 20 years or so, the corporate world has shifted its focus towards what we would call human-centricity. But we are getting ahead of ourselves. Why don’t we begin by defining what precisely human centricity is, and especially how it applies to the modern workplace.
What is human centricity?
To start with, let us consider the simplest possible definition, which is as follows: “A human-centric workplace is crafted around its employees and takes their specific needs into account.”
This definition allows us to identify the three unique elements of human-centric design, namely:
1. Empathy,
2. Creativity, and
3. Business needs.
1. Empathy
When we talk about empathy, we are referring to the fact that we genuinely care for the people in our workplace. The adage, “try walking in their shoes for a day,” is especially pertinent here. Essentially, we are discussing trying to see things from someone else’s perspective. Once we do that, we put ourselves in a position to understand their reasons for not doing things and the motivations that drive them and encourage them to do things well. It would help if you immersed yourself in the community that makes up your employees to build genuine empathy and, in so doing, create the conditions for understanding their real needs and motivations.
2. Creativity
When we talk about creativity, we are referring not only to the creativity we desire from our employees. We are referring to the creativity that we need to use as employers to ensure that we are also finding unique solutions to the problems that our workforce may be facing. Do workers feel challenged? Are there issues such as a lack of connection between the different employees within the organization? Are the individuals that work for us able to achieve a sense of fulfillment? However, they may define it as per their outlook.
3. Business needs
Business needs refer to making our organization utterly supportive of our employees’ collaborative and communicative needs. When employees feel involved in something more significant than the individual tasks they are performing, they are much more highly motivated and, thereby, much more likely to produce optimal results. One easy way to ensure that your organization creates this environment is to use a coworking space rental instead of a traditional office, as some co-working spaces have perfected the formula for best meeting business needs.
Strategies to make your workplace more human-centric
1. Flexible offerings: As the pandemic forced the majority of the world’s working population to adapt to a ‘work-from-home’ or WFH culture, many individuals realized that working from home has many benefits, as it allows one to maintain a healthier work-life balance. However, the need and desire to go into an everyday workplace still remains; many collaborative tasks still necessitate physical human interaction. Indeed, many individuals long for that human connection that is all too often lost if one engages solely in WFH mode. Many organizations have shifted to a blended model, where they give their employees the flexibility to work from home on some days and come into the office on other days. This is a win-win situation for both employees and employers, as employees have a lot of flexibility in scheduling their work time, and employers do not have massive overheads and fixed costs to maintain a physical workspace. In today's world, nothing is more convenient for a company than to simply hire a coworking space for a limited number of days in a week, a month, or even a year, to allow their employees to come into work on those days.
2. Achievements recognition: As human beings, we desire validation. This trend starts right from childhood and continues throughout our lives. This does not imply that achievements must always be recognized via monetary incentives. Often, a simple acknowledgment from one’s manager or superior, a few words of recognition at an office meeting attended by the whole company, a plaque that lists someone as the ‘employee of the month,’ and so on, are more than enough in terms of motivation. A dedicated area in your office, such as a hallway or a notice board where achievements can be recognized, is a simple yet highly effective way to keep employees satisfied. These are the types of features that are usually already built-in to great coworking spaces.
3. Employee-wellness focused: Earlier, employee health was limited to offering your workforce access to a company health insurance plan. While this is important, it does not focus on the most important precursor to insurance, which is ensuring that your employees are healthy! As an employer, you cannot force anyone to engage in healthy lifestyle habits such as good eating and exercise. However, you can create the conditions necessary for your employees to adopt these practices easily. A simple strategy is having a snack area that is always stocked with healthy alternatives for employees who feel hungry during the day or have missed a meal because of working long hours. Another strategy is partnering with local gyms and other exercise studios close to the office to make it as convenient as possible for your workers to get in a workout whenever they have the time. Coworking spaces such as Worksocial have a well-stocked snacking station encouraging members to eat healthily.
4. Team goal creation: Working in silos is a thing of the past. Yes, there are still jobs in the modern corporate world where individual targets are linked to incentives. However, these jobs are the exception and not the rule. For the more significant part, most employees want to feel like they are part of something larger, and the easiest way to achieve this is to create team goals. Like team sports, where there is a sense of higher purpose and camaraderie, creating team goals helps individuals see the bigger picture and be more motivated to work toward a common goal.
5. Opportunities for learning & development: Employees always look to up-skill and learn new things in today's world. Often, individuals leave their jobs because they feel a sense of stagnation. This can be easily avoided if employers provide their employees with an opportunity to learn new things and develop new skills. Mind you; these opportunities do not all have to be a natural extension of their function at work. Giving someone in the finance department the opportunity to participate in a course that focuses on communication skills may seem like a mismatch but thinking about scenarios like these is short-sighted. As long as an employee is deriving value and happiness from their learning and development opportunities, there will undoubtedly be positive benefits that the company will experience.
6. Creating inspirational office layouts: Your office’s design significantly impacts how employees communicate and work together. Separate work areas allow individuals to zone in and focus on a task without interruptions. Similarly, shared spaces are essential for collaborative work, meetings, etc. A mix of shared and private focus pods, meeting rooms, discussion spaces, and social areas is critical to creating a human-centric workplace. This blended mix of slots is an essential feature of modern coworking spaces. Everything has been designed so that everyone's individual and collective needs can be met with the highest degree of efficiency and comfort.
Conclusion
The future of remote work is human-centricity, and to that end, human-centric workplaces such as coworking spaces are here to stay. As companies recognize the importance of human-centricity, the elements and strategies discussed above are slated to become the norms of the modern workplace.
Woman and minority-owned coworking business serves entrepreneurs and businesses, from established enterprises to scaling startups
WorkSocial, a coworking space with locations in New Jersey and New York offering private, shared and virtual offices and flexible solutions that match the individual needs of businesses, has expanded its Jersey City headquarters at 111 Town Square Place, 12th Floor.
The expansion increases the size of its headquarters to 14,000 square feet from 8,400, and will increase the company’s number of private offices, day offices, coworking spaces, virtual offices, and conference rooms–with premium amenities including virtual reception service, secure server access, shipping and mailing, onsite notary and complimentary high-speed Wifi, printing, hot breakfast, lunch, beverages and snacks. Three thousand square feet of the new expansion space has already been allocated to a nationally recognized business.
“As a resident and business owner in Jersey City, I couldn’t be more proud to expand the office space of our headquarters,” said Natasha Mohan, CEO and founder of WorkSocial. “This marks a new milestone of growth for our company and the expansion of our services to business owners and entrepreneurs in the New Jersey and New York metro areas.”
Bringing more than 20 years of diverse experience in hospitality, management, retail, real estate and artistry, Mohan culminates her talents into leading WorkSocial, a company that she refers to as “a movement of happiness.” She founded the company with the motto “Connect. Create. Grow,” and connecting people has become her “superpower” that her clients rely on.
The Feng Shui incorporated throughout the architectural and interior design amplifies both the simplicity and functionality of the space. WorkSocial serves some of the largest brands in the U.S., such as Facebook, Google, Amazon, Apple, Marshall Goldsmith and Chobani, as well as offers affordable solutions for small businesses and local entrepreneurs. Since the company’s inception in 2015, WorkSocial has expanded its real estate portfolio from 4,400 to 18,000 sq. ft. and has seen 100-percent organic growth year over year.
What sets WorkSocial apart is the personalization of its services to not only be functional but also meet the individual needs of each business. “When a client’s birthday comes up, we’ll arrange for a cake for them. Gluten-free or other dietary restrictions? We will provide you with a nutritious lunch that meets your needs accordingly,” said Mohan. “These personalized services are what makes our clients look forward to coming to the office.”
As a longtime Jersey City local, Mohan believes that her company has a responsibility to support and give back to the local community. WorkSocial sources its lunch and snack offerings from local Jersey City vendors and regularly donates food and needed supplies to the York Street Project, which offers innovative programs that shelter, feed, educate and promote the healing and independence of persons in need, especially women, children, and their families.
If you can barely remember what your office looks like, then you’re most likely one of the many who have been working from home for the past couple years. Local Zoomers might want to consider branching out to a coworking space for the sake of their loved ones at home, personal sanity, or even to increase productivity with a change of scenery. Whether you’re fully remote or working a hybrid job, you can check out these coworking spots in Hudson County + beyond as an alternative on your remote days (FYI— Each location is taking sanitation precautions to provide a safe and comfortable environment).
3rd Space Cowork | 142 Lafayette Street, Newark
At 3rd Space, personal space is a top priority. This location offers private parking, divided workspaces, socially distanced conference rooms, and private offices. You can perk up with free coffee and get fresh air throughout the workday on the rooftop and outdoor seating. Membership is as low as a $25 Day Pass and as exclusive as a private office with designated parking space for $1,785 per month.Read More: Places in Hoboken + Jersey City to Work From Home
Andco | 201 Montgomery Street, Jersey City
Andco’s motto is, “Work here. Work better.” While you find out if that’s true for you and your work, you can take advantage of mail service, copiers, printers, and high-speed wi-fi. Whether you’re working a 9 to 5 or you need extra space to work on a side hustle, Andco believes that seeing the world for all its possibilities can start with a great workspace. Single day passes are available for $30 and 10 day passes are available for $200.
CMPND | 97 Newkirk St 2nd Floor + 28 Cottage Street, Jersey City
CMPND brands itself as an ‘all-inclusive coworking community.’ Pricing here works on a month-to-month basis for whenever you need regular access to a coworking space. There are private desks, conference rooms, unlimited black and white printing, freshly brewed coffee, and even a fitness center on site. You can rent a desk for $300 per month — or, if you’re looking for a more private experience, you can rent a private office suite for $800 per month. Conference rooms are $20 per hour.
Convene | Multiple Locations Throughout New York City
With many accessible locations throughout New York City, Convene has truly beautiful coworking spaces. Thanks to the amenities at Convene, you can focus on the business at hand. This space has thought of everything — even the air. Convene utilizes MERV-13 and bipolar ionization filtration solutions to make sure those who rent the space have the cleanest air possible. Convene’s human-centered design and five-star hospitality make this spot infinitely better than your kitchen table.
Daybase | 1450 Washington Street, Hoboken
Daybase is intentionally designed for hybrid and remote workers providing local, flexible coworking spaces. From the common areas like the Daylounge, Zoom-ready meeting rooms, and larger collaboration spaces, Daybase has everything you need to make the workplace work for you. Amenities here include on-site concierge, enterprise-grade WiFi, complimentary coffee & tea, and unlimited office supplies. For $25, you can try out Daybase on a trial basis for two weeks to see if it’s a fit for you — though this is valid only through June 10th, 2022. Memberships start at $50 per month.
Mission50 | 50 Harrison Street, Suite PH 401, Hoboken
You can find the right flexible plan for your work needs, whether it’s a shared space or a private office. The fast wifi here will keep you connected, unlimited printing will help keep things organized, free coffee will keep the pep in your step, and onsite parking will make life easier. All members enjoy discounted rates at local restaurants and gyms as well as free membership to Hudson Bike Share and NJ Tech Council. And bonus — membership starts at just $20 a year.
NJ Office Share | 500 Paterson Plank Road, Union City
To anyone who has been working from home, the tagline, “You focus on your work. We take care of the rest,” is a dream come true. Enjoy 24/7 secure access, free on-street parking, high-speed internet to get the job done, spacious common areas to keep your distance, and a kitchenette so you can stay energized throughout the workday. NJ Office Share is conveniently nestled on the border of Union City, Jersey City Heights, and Hoboken.
Small Officer | Multiple Locations
At Small Officer, you’ll find on-demand office spaces for whenever you need. There are flexible options to rent by the hour, day, or month, and you’ll find a variety of both coworking and shared spaces along with private offices and workstations. Small Officer has locations in Newark, Hoboken, Bloomfield, Union City, and East Brunswick, and you can try out any of these spots for a free 4-hour trial to see if it’s a good fit. There are no memberships or monthly obligations, so this is a great option for those who aren’t sure how regularly they’ll need a coworking space.
Sweven | 33-41 Newark St. Floor 5, Hoboken
Sweven has private dens that can seat up to 8 people as well as single occupancy nooks, public shared office space, and even a full-time concierge to help you with any of your working space needs. There are also private hush booths if you need to take a call in a quiet setting. For your snacking and meal needs, Sweven has a full-service café. Membership here starts at $295 per month.
Upflex | HQ: 833 Broadway 2nd Floor, New York (With Multiple Locations Throughout NYC)
Imagine helping the planet each time you book a coworking space. That’s what you’ll find at Upflex. Each time Upflex receives a booking, it plants a tree through the Trees for the Future program. Desk plans start at $115 a month and can be used by multiple team members. Private office plans start at $299 a month and apply to private offices of any size in any worldwide location.
Worksocial | 111 Town Square Place, Jersey City
Work social coworking and shared office space foster a lifestyle rich in service and amenities. You can enjoy the benefit of fractional ownership while the dedicated Worksocial team helps you make the most of your time in this shared space. Choose from executive offices, coworking spaces, and socially distanced meeting rooms. Members have access to free drinks, snacks, and printing, and each room is sanitized with UV lights prior to every meeting and seats are placed 5-6 feet apart. All surfaces are wiped down on a daily basis for top-level sanitation. You can go to Worksocial for $40 per day. Recently, the team announced it was expanding its Jersey City headquarters to 14,000 square feet from 8,400, meaning there would be increased space for all kinds of work stations.
The future of innovation is community-led. Workspaces that recognize the importance of community are already ahead of the innovation game – reshaping the future of work as we know it. But why is community so important? Because as social beings, we are motivated to achieve specific needs. Maslow’s theory of needs proposes that physiological, safety, social, esteem, and self-actualization are our five motivational needs, starting from the most fundamental. Here, we see social needs as the third most fundamental human need. So, it’s no surprise that workspaces that provide sufficient social interaction are far more successful than workspaces that don’t.
This brings us to coworking spaces – an effective solution where diverse groups of remote professionals work together in a shared setting. The proximity to such a diverse community translates into endless possibilities, such as:
- Starting new businesses or enterprises together,
- Networking within the community,
- Sharing experiences and knowledge, and
- Drawing on the collective intelligence of the community for new ideas.But how do we ensure a sense of community in the workspace? Let’s explore five ways to achieve, activate, and nurture the community at the workspace.
Five tips for fostering a sense of community in the workplace
1. Deliver a holistic experience
Avoid designing each element of your office space independently. Consider the holistic experience you are offering your employees because when designed intentionally, space, technology, and community complement each other beautifully, becoming more significant than just a sum of their parts.
2. Design a better than at home experience
Your organization is currently competing with the convenience of working from home and ‘other places’ such as coffee shops. So it’s essential to design a convenient, informal, welcoming, and flexible place. Or you could apply for a coworking membership where you and your team can work and collaborate easily.
3. Create spaces that inspire human connections
Your design needs to prioritize community from end to end, much like coworking and shared spaces do. For instance, placing a community desk near the elevator helps reinforce the community ‘vibe’ and build trust right from day one. Common areas such as lounges, kitchens, staircases, and corridors should be designed to encourage eye contact, foster connections, and inspire connective moments such as impromptu lunches or brainstorm sessions.
4. Bring the employee experience to life
Develop an employee experience strategy that combines experience design, facilities operation, and event management with a human-centric approach. For instance, hiring a community manager can help facilitate ideas between employees and management. A community manager can also listen to employees’ needs and connect them to the right resource for help.
In a coworking space, community managers are generally full-time resources who have the full autonomy to create a community that trusts each other and thrives as a unit. Community managers have the power to create a sense of belonging, thus enhancing employee experience to the optimum.
5. Drive innovation through new partnerships and opportunities
Community managers have the capability to sense what employees need and want. They use these insights to encourage potential partnerships and opportunities between organizations, share their learnings with management to understand their employees better, and essentially create a sense of belonging within teams and organizations.
Conclusion
These tips are levers that can help reinforce your organization’s goals and help every employee feel seen and heard. Use them to create a culture of community within your organization. Alternatively, you can embrace the future of work by considering coworking memberships that encourage flexibility and promote a sense of community at the workplace.
FAQs
Why does community matter in the workplace?
As a social species, we naturally crave community in our relationships and workspaces. A strong sense of community makes employees feel like they belong instead of being left to wonder if they are around to round off the headcount.
How can management create a sense of community amongst team members?
Leaders within an organization can create a sense of community by sponsoring activities and events that get people together. Social events are great for team building and boosting employee morale.
How to develop a workplace community on a budget?
Building a sense of workplace community within your organization is possible on a budget. Here are a few ideas to build a strong workplace community:
- 1. Encourage a sense of belonging by making recognition a part of your company culture.
- 2. Organize regular social events outside of work to enable people to get to know each other better.
- 3. Cultivate team spirit by promoting competitive sports and employee participation.
- 4. Give back to the community by volunteering for worthy causes.
- 5. Create a space for employees to get together socially – whether it’s the cafeteria, water cooler, or seating arrangement throughout the office.
The future of work has evolved from a business strategy to a business responsibility – a much-needed approach as the world battles year three of the pandemic. This business approach or responsibility requires top management to address the shift in workplace culture in a way that’s meaningful and designed to support the well-being of employees.
The uncertain times brought on by Covid-19 have led to a powerful transformation in the employer-employee relationship. At a time when industry talent is waning and employees’ motivational drivers transform, employers too are realizing just how important people are to the success of their business.
Intelligent employers who offer a hybrid, human-centric, and purpose-driven place of work are ahead of the game when it comes to:
- Improving employee experience,
- Raising workplace standards, and </br/>- Finding the best talent.
According to insights by Gartner, a consulting firm based in Connecticut, 39% of knowledge workers say they would leave if their employers insisted on a ‘hard return’ to full-time, on-site work.
This is promising, and the hope is that it will push organizations to transform their DNA, evolving into a workplace of the future that genuinely puts its employees first.
6 ways to best support employee wellbeing
1. Ramp up employee benefits
With mental health problems skyrocketing and their effects impacting the workplace, the time is now to recognize the emerging mental health crisis and plan out a meaningful benefits program. Following are a few short-term changes worth considering carrying over into the years ahead.
- · Provide additional time off for employees.
- · Offer flexibility in terms of remote working or working out of shared spaces.
- · Re-evaluate company child care and parental leave policies to include added benefits.
- · Provide wellness support by improving mental health care benefits
2. Build kinder work environments
Do away with the ‘always-on’ culture and instead focus on making the workplace a kinder place to work. Leaders are choosing a compassionate leadership model that removes the ‘hustle-culture,’ replacing it with a model that prioritizes employee well-being and rewards collaboration over competition.
3. Encourage boundaries
Build a leadership model that encourages employees to set boundaries between their personal and professional lives. Adapt practices that support the well-being of employees and their families, such as:- Creating ‘meeting hours’ that do not trickle into any time of the day.- Consider implementing a shorter workweek.- Discourage after-hours communication.- Encourage exhausting vacation time.
4. Review all systems and processes
It’s essential to avoid workspace bias that favors office workers over remote workers. Some ways to do away with such bias is to:- Put all workers on a level playing field by opting for a remote-first culture.- Review all systems and processes to ensure company policies do not favor office workers over remote workers.- Create a knowledge dump of updated information that everyone can access from anywhere.Review company performance review processes to ensure that promotions and incentives are merit-based, not based on who works from where - the office or coworking space.
5. Encourage virtual socialization
Even if it’s just one employee working remotely, make sure managers across the board hold meetings virtually. This ensures that no employee misses out on any real-time, in-person conversations. Another great way to strengthen remote culture is to encourage social meet-ups online.
6. Create an inclusive workspace
Unlock connection and collaboration across teams with tools and technology that support an inclusive workspace. For instance, by integrating Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) in the workspace, you can truly feel that employees worldwide are across the room.
Conclusion
Organizations have come a long way over the last two years, but there’s still room for improvement in supporting employee wellbeing. With both companies and their employees adapting to the ‘new normal’ of hybrid work, broader cultural shifts are the need of the hour for employees to feel truly supported at the workplace.
FAQs
What are the five main categories of employee benefits likely to see significant change?
The categories most likely to see changes centered around the transition to hybrid working leave benefits, family-friendly benefits, health & wellness benefits, flexibility benefits, and learning & development benefits.
What is the future of the hourly workforce?
The future of hourly workers is one of the more significant labor issues the Joe Biden administration is currently tackling. Forward-thinking organizations would be wise to reevaluate their overall HR strategy toward offering flexible work arrangements. Those that are tuned to unique stressors that the hourly workforce experience will be able to manage them well in the future.
Do shared workspaces help with employee wellbeing?
Coworking and shared workspaces such as Worksocial help improve employee productivity and wellbeing through the power of workspace design. For instance, the flexible meeting room spaces repurposed into conference rooms allow teams to collaborate on projects with ease, pioneer cultural change and improve well-being.
As lockdown restrictions ease, companies around the globe are planning for the future of work. Considering employees everywhere have settled into a routine of remote working, organizations are actively looking towards a hybrid work model that combines remote working and at-office collaboration.
Today's most desired offering for job seekers is working remotely, with 55% of employees wanting to work from anywhere at least thrice a week. In fact, according to Mom Corps, 42% of employees would take a pay cut to have flexible work options from their organization.
With 74% of companies in the United States either using or planning to implement the hybrid work model, it’s time to understand what a hybrid work model is and how to adapt it to your organization’s operations.
What is hybrid work?
The unprecedented transition into working from home has proven that productivity and flexibility go hand in hand. And a hybrid work model provides just that – an approach that empowers employees to work offsite, on-site, and in-between locations such as coworking and shared spaces. It’s a radical departure from the traditional 9-to-5 work model, giving employees the flexibility to:(
a) work remotely or on-site part of the week
(b) work remote full-time
(c) work full-time on-site
The importance of a hybrid work model
Studies show 42.2% of Gen Z would like to work remotely only one to two days a week, 37.8% of millennials would like to work remotely only three to four days a week, and 21.4% of Baby Boomers and Gen X would like to work remotely full time. Employees see value in hybrid work, but what makes the hybrid work model so attractive?
Perks of having a hybrid work model
Increased productivity: Instead of working only between 9 am and 5 pm on weekdays, employees have flexibility in getting work done when they are at their productive best.
Work-life balance: A flexible work schedule promotes better work-life balance. Studies have shown that employees who have more control over their work hours can plan their personal time better.
Low exposure to illness: A hybrid work model gives more flexibility to sick employees, giving them the option to work remotely altogether.
Overhead savings: Since this set-up involves fewer employees on-site at any given time, you can consider reinvesting what you save on real estate costs into providing alternate work options such as co-working and satellite offices.
Hire global talent: Companies can gain access to a vast pool of talent, giving them a competitive edge while entering new markets and increasing productivity.
Remote work model vs. hybrid work model
Fully remote companies do not have physical workspaces for their employees to work out of. Meetings, tasks, and events are held virtually and are accessible for employees working out of anywhere. All they need is a stable Internet connection and a work-friendly environment such as shared and coworking spaces. On the other hand, hybrid companies make staggering arrangements so employees can work remotely a few days in the week and on-site on others.
The hybrid work model is increasing in popularity because it:
(i) requires low investment (infrastructure and equipment), and
(ii) is easy to implement
A well-known company with a hybrid work set-up is Apple. Employees can work from home twice a week and are expected to work from the office thrice a week. Another well-known company with a hybrid set-up is Microsoft. Employees have the option of working 100% remotely or working from anywhere for 50% of the week.
Conclusion
The hybrid work model was once seen as an alternative style of working. Today, as 72% of companies look towards investing in tools for future virtual collaboration and 83% of employees chose flexibility, it’s only a matter of time before more companies jump aboard the hybrid work model train to retain workforce talent.
FAQs
Why should I adopt a hybrid work model?
Studies and research show that organizations adopt hybrid work models in order to:
(i) extend flexibility that is crucial for productivity,
(ii) maintain in-person interactions that are needed for company culture.
How do I adopt a hybrid work model?
The fitting process, people, and tech – that’s all you need to adopt a successful hybrid work model. We recommend running an employee survey to understand your team’s needs before choosing a working model that suits your organization.
Is the hybrid work model good for employees?
Most definitely, research shows that a hybrid work model improves employee engagement. According to a survey conducted by Webex, 79% of employees indicated that their employee engagement levels have either stayed the same or shown improvement since they started working remotely.
Types of hybrid work models - how many different subtypes are there?
The most common types of hybrid work models are:
(i) Flexible hybrid work model,(
ii) Fixed hybrid work model,
(iii) Office-first hybrid work model, and(iv) Remote-first hybrid work model.
Sources
Rest is one of the most important parts of performance and exercise. Unfortunately, it also happens to be one of the hardest things to do for people constantly on the go. However, recovery is essential for your mental and physical wellbeing.
If you're the type of person who feels guilty about taking a day off, one way to help eliminate the guilt trip is to know the benefits of rest and recovery. Plus, is your body begging for a rest day? Learn when it's time to say 'no' training.
What is the Recovery Stage?
When you play sports or exercise, your body is exposed to various stressors. For example, lifting strains your arm muscles while running puts more stress on the legs. So whenever you're finished with an exercise, it's essential to give your body time to adapt to the stresses it just underwent. This is called the short-term recovery phase.
Always rest immediately after an intense exercise to avoid injuries. Allow your body to recuperate after extreme movements.
5 Recovery Techniques to Try
Keep the following tips and tricks in mind to help get the most out of your workouts.
01. Rest
You'll recover quicker from the physical and mental demands of hard training if you rest immediately after working out.
It's OK to take a rest day as well. Read down below for signs that you should take a day off.
02. Eat & Drink
One of the most important parts of training and recovery is staying hydrated. It's also vital to nourish your body with the right foods before and after a workout. Food helps restore your body's energy supply, so try to eat healthy, high-protein foods after a workout to enhance your performance and recovery.
Tip: Eat a lot of lean protein like chicken breast or fish (to help the muscles repair and grow) and carbohydrates (to restore the used glycogen) even on your day off. It's also a great idea to consult with a dietitian who can help you determine how much you need of each according to your workout routine and lifestyle. Remember, everyone's nutritional needs are different.
03. Massages
If you're feeling sore, consider getting a sports massage. Massages help loosen up tight muscles, increase oxygen and blood flow, and help drain lactic acid buildup (which makes you sore).04. Ice BathIce baths make your blood vessels constrict, pushing the blood away from the muscle because of the freezing temperature. However, once you come out of the ice bath and start to warm up, the vessels open up and allow blood to flow back into the muscle, bringing more oxygen to help you recuperate.
05. Take a Nap
Sleep is also important. If you're training hard, you could benefit from a short nap after a workout. Nightly sleep is also critical. Even one or two nights of poor sleep can reduce performance for long bouts of exercise.
Also, consistent, inadequate sleep can change hormone levels, affecting muscle recovery, muscle building, and performance.
Signs You Need a Rest Day
Is your body telling you it's time to take a recovery day? No matter your exercise schedule, it's crucial to listen to your body. Some telltale signs your body is begging for a break include fatigue, an unexplained decrease in performance, and musculoskeletal aches and pains. Likewise, if you feel restless, cranky, have a hard time sleeping, lose your appetite, or feel depressed or stressed, you may also be pushing yourself too hard.
In general, you should plan a rest day every seven to ten days if you engage in high-intensity physical activity. However, some people may benefit from a rest day more often, like twice a week.
Recovery is Worth it
The whole point of recovery in exercise is to allow your muscles to repair themselves. If your muscles are sore from your workout, give them a break. Use the tips above during the recovery stage to help move the process along.
The more you let your body rest, the better you'll perform during your next workout.
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