{"id":2415,"date":"2023-09-18T21:52:50","date_gmt":"2023-09-19T01:52:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eptura.wpengine.com\/?p=2415"},"modified":"2024-09-10T00:33:37","modified_gmt":"2024-09-10T04:33:37","slug":"what-is-an-alternative-workplace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eptura.com\/discover-more\/blog\/what-is-an-alternative-workplace\/","title":{"rendered":"Alternative workplaces: Then versus now"},"content":{"rendered":"

In 1998, the Harvard Business Review published a futuristic article, <\/span>The Alternative Workplace: Changing Where and How People Work<\/span><\/a>. While it was a new and exciting concept back then, in 2023, it isn’t too groundbreaking. If anything, it\u2019s the new normal. <\/span><\/p>\n

It describes remote work and a growing detachment from the traditional workplace. That said, it’s a prophetic-sounding piece from more than 20 years ago that predicted the alternative workplace we’re seeing today.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Indeed, we have moved from an era in which people actively seek connections with one another to an era in which people decide when and where to disconnect \u2014 electronically and socially. Current organizations pursuing alternative workplace initiatives \u2014 particularly those with home office arrangements \u2014 must be mindful of that paradox.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The rise of the alternative workplace has been a long time coming, as evidenced by the above passage. The global pandemic was just the latest catalyst driving alternative solutions into the spotlight<\/a>. Today, alternative workplace strategies have taken center stage and are fulfilling the vision first adopted in 1998.<\/span><\/p>\n

Alternative workplace definition<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

What is an alternative workplace? It’s a fair question and readily answered by many of the work trends we’re familiar with today. Telecommuting and remote work. Coworking. These paint a picture of the alternative workplace.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Alternative<\/p>\n

In 1998, “alternative workplace” focused more specifically on alternatives to working in an office<\/a>. Today, the definition focuses more on where employees work and how that environment supports them \u2014 from a well-furnished coworking space to the free Wi-Fi at a local coffee shop.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Key elements of the alternative workplace<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Alternative workplaces are highly diverse because they can encompass just about any environment that supports work. So long as it supports your ability to work and it’s outside of the “home base” workplace, it falls under the guise of an alternative workplace.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A coworking space might have an office feel and all the amenities of a traditional workplace. Still, it’s an alternative workplace because professionals from other companies and career paths surround you. Your home office is an alternative workplace. Even an airport lounge is an alternative workplace \u2014 even if you only work there for 45 minutes before a flight.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Are you sitting in an alternative workspace right now? Take stock of the environment and see if it offers these essential elements:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n