To enhance collaboration, foster innovation, and adapt to the changing landscape of work, the General Services Administration (GSA) introduced federal coworking at several sites across the United States. This work supports Priority 1, Strategy 3 of the President’s Management Agenda (PMA).
In July 2023, GSA launched a federal coworking program, enabling federal employees to work within government-managed coworking spaces. These GSA managed spaces provide employees with shared offices and meeting rooms, and are fully equipped for immediate use. The program currently operates in six sites across the United States, including Chicago, Denver, Kansas City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Tacoma.
Key Benefits of Federal Coworking
- Professional Environment for Collaboration: Federal coworking provides agencies with a secure environment conducive to collaboration and productivity. By working side-by-side, employees from different agencies have the unique opportunity to learn from each other, sparking innovation and fostering improved efficiency. Coworking also provides spaces for teams to meet and work alongside each other, in a secure environment with inviting interiors. Each of the coworking locations are different in their design and unique amenities.
- Flexibility and Adaptability: With the workplace evolving rapidly, flexibility is key. Federal coworking offers agencies the ability to adapt their workspace requirements in real-time, without the need for significant lead time or upfront investment.
- Cost-Efficiency: One of the most significant benefits of federal coworking is its cost-effectiveness. By sharing spaces, agencies can save substantially on real estate costs. The program is currently free of charge, but GSA will begin charging in FY 2025.
- Employee Satisfaction and Productivity: GSA used various feedback mechanisms, such as surveys, to assess the necessary features of coworking spaces, initial demand, and overall experience. Respondents reported successful collaboration, a change of scenery, and an improved social environment as key benefits. In addition to cost savings, federal coworking aims to enhance employee satisfaction and productivity. By providing a professional and collaborative workspace, the program ensures employees have access to the tools and workspaces they need to better serve the American people, including the camaraderie of working alongside others and flexibility to meet with teams in secure space.
While the program is currently in its pilot phase, GSA is testing and refining the concept based on user feedback and experiences. To date, federal coworking has welcomed over 1103 coworkers representing 78 departments and federal agencies, with an impressive 85% expressing their intention to return to the coworking space, according to exit surveys.
“I think we’re at a time of change. We’ve learned a lot over the last three years on how distributed work works and how people are doing their work as they deliver for the American people.” GSA Chief Architect Chuck Hardy explained.
Looking to the Future
As the federal workplace continues to evolve, GSA is committed to exploring additional benefits and areas of improvement. In fall 2024, the federal coworking program will launch a digital booking system pilot, allowing coworkers to make and manage their own reservations.
In addition, the team will create a plan for expanding the federal coworking program beyond the prototype stage. This plan will target achieving a steady state of operations at existing prototype sites and will integrate lessons learned from the testing phase. GSA will also convene federal agencies and a cross section of GSA’s industry workplace strategists to discuss current workplace design thought, lessons learned, and challenges yet to be addressed.
By prioritizing employee satisfaction, government efficiency, and productivity, federal coworking is paving the way for a stronger, more adaptable federal workforce prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the future. The PMA is enabling cross-government collaboration and subsequent change.
To learn more about federal coworking and how your agency can benefit, visit GSA’s Center for Federal Coworking page. For more information on how GSA is helping agencies with their evolving space needs visit GSA’s workplace offerings.
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