It would be remiss of SmallBizPod not to mention the launch of a real world Pod for home workers.
OfficePOD also looks like an interesting option for freelancers and sole traders working from home. The problem is it’s only being marketed at employers.
Although not launched until early next year you can see OfficePOD at Grand Designs Live at the ExCel Centre in London until 4 May.
The company behind the concept is offering it to employers at £5,000 per employee per annum.
From a home worker’s perspective it certainly offers a secluded way of differentiating home from work life, freeing up the traditional kitchen table office and reducing distractions.
A recent YouGov poll found that just under 1 in 3 employees, or ‘ad hoc homeworkers’ have spent an average of 16 hours a month working from home.
According to OfficePOD the average cost of office space per year per employee in Central London is £9,000.
As commercial property prices plummet and layoffs in the City continue, it’ll be interesting to see quite how long this cost differential will stack up.
Although the corporate market is going to be attractive in terms of scale, it’s a little surprising that OfficePOD isn’t targetting its space at startups and sole traders.
Perhaps the one-off purchase of each POD is simply too pricey.
