The office today is not what it was in 2019. It’s 2022 now—we’ve had a full-blown global pandemic, and remote and hybrid work are becoming the norm.
There’s a curveball, though: people don’t want to go back to the office, but they also don’t want to work from home.
So, now what?
Enter: the third workplace—a place away from home and the office where you set up a laptop, log in, and get to work. It could be the local coffee shop, the library, or a coworking space.
Let’s dig in a bit deeper and look at the third workplace and why it’s gaining momentum.
What is “the third workplace?”
It’s actually a concept that’s been around for a while.
Starbucks originally championed the idea of a “third place” and sees its stores as such. They describe the third place as “a warm and welcoming place, outside of our homes and our workspaces, where we connect and build community.”
This definition still applies to a third workplace but with the primary function being to, of course, work.
Some examples of the third workplace include:
- Local cafes or restaurants
- Coworking and flexible workspaces
- Hotels, conference rooms, and meeting spaces
- Libraries and community centers
Not all third workplaces are created equal. A coffee shop is a very different environment than a dedicated and professional workspace! You have to think about what you’re looking for and choose an option that will work for your goals.
Why are third workplaces gaining momentum?
Working at home can just be distracting. You’ve probably experienced one of these interruptions while trying to work:
- Chores like laundry or dishes beckon you away from the computer
- Roommates making noise in the background
- Kids playing in the background… or right next to you
Working from home can also be incredibly isolating which poses challenges for people lacking human interaction.
And offices have their distractions, too. Colleagues interrupting, meetings that could’ve been an email—there are plenty of things pulling you away from deep, focused work.
The third workplace presents an alternative. If you choose the right space (more on that below), there’s an opportunity to work without distractions.
New spots to work have been popping up all around the world in response. Hotels and restaurants are creating workplaces for patrons to use and coworking spaces are on the rise. Axios reports that 65% of companies want to have hybrid work arrangements after the pandemic, so the demand for these spaces is only going to continue.
What does the third workplace mean for you?
The third workplace represents an opportunity for a distraction-free work environment and comfortable workspace that encourages focus and engagement and fosters community and engagement.
It all depends on where you choose to go. A coffee shop or the local library might be fine for a few hours of work. But if you want to truly focus and get into deep work, a flexible office space is going to provide the most benefits, including:
- Flexible choices, depending on if you need a space for the day, or a dedicated desk or office for a longer time
- Business services such as printing, photocopying, or mail services to keep things running
- Comfortable environments that are conducive to productivity and focus
- Private meeting rooms for conferences or presentations (let’s be real—coffee shops don’t cut it for professional meetings!)
- A professional appearance when hosting customers and colleagues
At some third workplaces, like The Post and the other coworking spaces in the LExC network, being a member of one space means you’re a member of all of them. All members are entitled to free, full-day coworking passes at any LExC location, up to 5 times per space per year.
So, if you’re a member of a space and you’re on the road and looking to book a free day of coworking at another space or in another city or country, you can do it. You just need to contact your community manager for that space’s Liquidspace discount code to reserve your day.
The other big benefit to using a coworking space is the networking and social opportunities. As a remote worker, you just can’t get that from home! We all crave human connection, so finding a third workplace can help you find a community of like-minded people.
As a remote worker, you have more choices than your kitchen counter or makeshift home office. The third workplace is an opportunity to get back to what you love without the distractions of home life or office life in the way.
If you’re looking for your own Third Workplace, book a tour of The Post today.