The Alternative Workplace

The concept of the alternative workplace is catching up with a lot of companies. And, this is, definitely, a good thing to ponder on. The Alternative Workplace (AW) is the combination of nontraditional work practices, setting, and locations that is beginning to supplement traditional offices.

Among the potential benefits for companies are reduced costs, increased productivity, and an edge in vying for and keeping talented employees. But, at the same time, AW is not for everyone.

The AW can be achieved by different means:
1) Having some workers on different shifts or travel schedules share desks and office space.
2) Satellite offices, wherein centralized facilities are broken up into a network of smaller workplaces that can be located close to customers or to employees’ homes. Satellites can diversify the risk of over-concentration in a single location, and broaden the pool of potential employees.
3) Telecommuting is one of the most commonly recognized forms of AW. Telecommuting means performing work electronically wherever the worker chooses. This, generally, supplements the traditional workplace rather than replacing it.
4) Home offices.

Most organizations find that a mix of AW options is better than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Advantages of AW:
1) Reduced costs for the companies.
2) Better hold on talented employees.
3) Less commuting to office. This helps the employees the most. They travel to work as per the need.
4) Less traffic and less pollution.
5) Under this setting, companies become a lot productive, as they tend to reward the results and not the “efforts” of their employees.
6) The work-meetings tend to be more productive, because when employees meet, they tend to be result-oriented.
7) Employees get more time to be with their families. This makes them happier and more satisfied. Thus, their productivity shoots up.
8) More flexibility to the employees. They work as and when they feel like.

Disadvantages of AW:
1) This is not for everyone.
2) Trade secrets should be well handled.