How Coworking Spaces Support Inclusion and Belonging in the Workplace

Diversity, equity and inclusion efforts are crucial to the success of any organization. But with an increasingly remote workforce and steady rise in solopreneurship, how do we continue to develop cohesive DEI initiatives? Shared office spaces may be the answer. Coworking spaces support inclusion and belonging in the workplace even from afar.

Office Evolution in Hillsboro, OR, welcomes and celebrates our diverse community of doers, dreamers, and creators. Growth and learning happen here every day. We invite you to come see how our space can support your needs and goals. You can call us at 971-297-1444 or schedule a tour online.

Coworking Spaces Support Inclusion and Belonging in the Workplace

Creating a sense of belonging for each worker is critical to healthy workplaces that build a healthy economy. As more people work remotely or independently, however, it gets more challenging to feel a sense of inclusion and diversity. Everyone is too separated.

Coworking spaces help bridge this gap by offering a place where people can come together, network, and learn from each other. Here are the top three ways that shared office spaces help promote inclusion and belonging.

1. They offer collaborative opportunities on your terms.

Traditional offices and workplaces tend to include a lot of forced togetherness. Some people thrive on these interactions, but many people are not comfortable with them. Disabilities, neurodivergence, and trauma backgrounds can all impact how safe people feel in these situations.

In coworking and shared office spaces, you have much more control over how much or how little you want to interact with others. Collaborations and networking are great benefits of these office arrangements, but they aren’t a requirement. You can choose which events you want to attend, how long you want to participate, or you can skip them altogether. 

2. They offer a lower financial barrier for marginalized entrepreneurs.

Racial gaps in entrepreneurship are significant, as they are in overall wealth building. Office space and other startup costs can be a major barrier for small business owners from marginalized groups.

Coworking and shared office spaces provide a simpler path to setting up a business. Many of these memberships can be month-to-month so that new entrepreneurs aren’t locked into a long-term lease. And they often include many amenities that someone would otherwise need to pay for at a traditional office space:

• Receptionist
• WiFi
• Kitchen Area
• Adequate Parking
• Furnishings
• Utilities

3. They create authentic spaces of belonging for many different identities.

Traditional workplaces and long-standing networking groups can fall prey to cliques and partnerships that don’t allow for a sense of belonging or inclusion. They often cultivate a feeling of “insiders vs. outsiders.”

However, shared offices tend to have a much different feel since there is often a steady stream of new people in and out of the space. Coworking spaces draw people from a wide range of backgrounds and with a vast array of skills, expertise, and identities. 

Typical offices are often busy with hiring, firing, promoting, and other steps of the corporate ladder that can work against a sense of belonging. Coworking offices, on the other hand, tend to foster inclusion and collaboration instead.

Office Evolution Welcomes You

Everyone deserves to feel safe and included at work, even when working remotely or without a traditional office. At Office Evolution in Hillsboro, OR, we ascribe to the idea of Ohana – family. Our community of creators and innovators is diverse and welcoming, and we invite you to join us. You can learn more by calling us at 971-297-1444 or book a tour at your convenience online here.