The way people work has changed, and spending the day in a standard office is no longer the norm for many people. Telecommuting is becoming a more popular choice, both for employees and self-employed people, as businesses continue to look for ways to generate income while keeping costs down. Not all workers who fit into this category are interested in sitting at their kitchen table or taking a chance on finding a spot at a cafe when they need to get down to work, and dedicated business lounges and rent-a-day work spaces provide a flexible alternative to people for whom a standard office will not fit the bill.
Instead of expecting a worker to go to a commercial office space to work, companies like Regus are making going to work much more convenient for commuters by offering business lounges to commuters on railway platforms. The company is planning to open 60-100 of the on-platform business lounges in France, 15 in the Netherlands, as well as others in Germany and France. Regus has plans to open similar work spaces for telecommuters in shopping centres in the United States and in Shell service stations located around the world.
The Office Group has signed a contract to open five drop-in offices at railway stations. This service will be available starting in September, and London Paddington is one of the stations offering this type of as-needed office space arrangement. The company is also in talks with several UK rail companies and is expected to make an announcement about expanding its services to other stations later this year.
These types of facilities give telecommuters another option other than trying to work while travelling on the train or trying to get work accomplished while juggling family and household responsibilities. These off-site office spaces are available on an as-needed basis and can be a valuable networking resource for telecommuters and entrepreneurs to connect with likeminded individuals.
