Coworking or workhub? What is the right word?

Is it just wordplay or are they different?

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In many countries the term used to describe what we also call workhubs in the UK is ‘coworking spaces’. For those interested to search online for examples of workhubs and similar, this is a useful term to use. I suppose it’s a bit like saying either film or movie. Coworking is very much the American word, the movie not the film.

One thing to be wary of in a UK context: some coworking purists attach a particular emphasis to the way people work in these facilities. Coworking puts an emphasis on people working together, often using large worktops. The idea is to harness the collaborative power of freelancers and to help them avoid isolation.

Although many successful UK workhubs offer coworking, many are careful not to restrict membership to those wanting to work this way. Perhaps this is a cliché, but we find that many British workhub users are slightly more private and want to choose when to opt in to collective activity! It is for this reason that the Workbox uses the word coworking lightly as one of many descriptions of what we do. As for ‘hot desking’ (yikes!) that’s a subject for a whole blog of its own another day…

Pushing the word coworking can (if narrowly interpreted) risks restricting membership to a particular demographic. A typical coworking space is likely to feel like a place for creatives in their 20s and 30s. It may not feel right for other micros or employees.  Importantly, coworking spaces defined as such may be off-putting to employers wanting somewhere their staff can work effectively without distraction.

Whatever the branding (and most coworking spaces/workhubs do not use these words in their title – unlike hotels and cafes), the sector is growing exponentially.
But our advice is, whatever you call it, don’t make it feel too forced or exclusive. Coworking is for everyone!

Article written by:

Tim

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Here’s a selection of coworking spaces that we really like. If you want yours listed here please get in touch!