Children in the workplace is always a controversial topic. Especially in a flexible environment such as a coworking community, but also in the office, the question arises: Are children an enrichment in everyday working life or do they disrupt productivity?
Advantages - a better work-life balance in a coworking space
Bringing the children to the office makes it easier for parents to reconcile work and family life. Parents benefit from flexible working hours and short distances, which reduces stress and makes it much easier to reconcile work and family life.
- Flexibility: Parents don't have to rush between the office and childcare.
- Strengthening community: Children often promote social interaction and a sense of community.
Challenges - setting boundaries
Despite many advantages, there are clear challenges that need to be considered:
- Potential for distraction: Not all members find the presence of children enriching - some feel disturbed or that their concentration is impaired.
- Safety issues: Office equipment and technical devices can be sources of danger.
- Clear rules are necessary: Clear rules and zones for children are needed to avoid conflicts.
Possible solutions: Support from the Hey Nanny app
In order to achieve the best possible work-life balance, professional childcare is an ideal complement to the coworking concept. The Hey Nanny app, in which we have made targeted investments, plays an important role here. It makes it easy to book qualified childcare when there is a spontaneous need. And that's not all! The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) also offers a wide range of health services such as stress management, training for healthy leadership, dealing with menopause, men's health and stress resilience, as well as live webinars, yoga sessions and meditation for teams.
Conclusion: Finding ways together
Whether children are welcome in a coworking space or at the office workplace ultimately depends on good organization and open communication within the community and with colleagues. With clear agreements and comprehensive support services such as the Hey Nanny app, the challenge can be mastered and become an even more attractive place to work for families.