A regular at my coworking space said 'You have to be here five days a week to get the real value'

I heard this yesterday at The Foundry in Austin, and it made me pause. I've been a member for eight months, but I only go in two or three days. For me, the value is the quiet focus away from my house and the chance to chat with the graphic designer next to me now and then. Pushing for a full-time presence feels like it turns a flexible benefit into a new kind of office job pressure. It might work for some, but it sets a standard that could make part-time users feel like they're doing it wrong. Has anyone else felt pushed to use their space more than they actually need to?

3 comments

3 Comments

skyler21714d ago

Remember my buddy who used a spot in Dallas? He got the same line from some "community manager" about showing up more. He told them flat out he paid for access, not attendance. Last I heard, he switched to a cheaper flex plan somewhere else because the pressure to be a fixture just killed the vibe for him.

rosepark14d ago

That "real value" line just sounds like a sales tactic to lock you into a pricier plan.

emma_lee2214d ago

Seriously? That's such a weird thing to say. The whole point of a coworking space is the flexibility. If I wanted a five day a week requirement, I'd just get a regular office. My value comes from having a place to go when I need to get out of the house, not from clocking in. That person's rule would just make me feel guilty for using the space the way I want.