Cork based remote working space looks at creative ways to keep workers engaged and connected

Virtual coffee breaks, delivering office furniture to homes and #cabinfever channel 

Republic of Work on Cork’s South Mall has developed new ways to connect with its members at this time. 

Republic of Work (ROW) has postponed its events, and most members are working from home at this time. Like other businesses, ROW has had to change and adapt quickly to the current market conditions. 

The team have set up daily 11 am coffee break video chats, and a #cabinfever channel to keep people engaged, connected and remain productive. The #cabinfever channel allows members to share activities, books and movie suggestions and anything else. ROW’s upcoming weekly ‘Lunch and Learn’ events will be delivered via video conference, as well next week’s BULTINCORK monthly event. They have had fantastic interaction with the members on the 11 am Virtual Coffee Break and Slack Channel. They have also offered to drop furniture (desk and chair) to their members to create their workspace at home. 

CEO OF ROW, DC Cahalane said: “REPUBLIC OF WORK’s primary business is in our community, so at this time, our primary focus is being a support infrastructure for the 75 plus businesses in our community. We’re in daily contact with our members updating them and supporting their businesses in whatever ways we can. Our normal member communication channels are still there for people even though they may be working from home and we’ve implemented them with daily 11 am coffee break video chats, a #cabinfever channel for members to share activities, book and movie suggestions and anything else.  

“Our upcoming weekly Lunch and Learn events will be delivered via video conference, as well next week’s BULTINCORK monthly event. We have had massive interaction with the members on the 11 am Virtual Coffee Break and Slack Channel. We have also offered to drop furniture (desk & chair) to our members to create their workspace at home.”

“A business by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs” that’s how CEO DC Cahalane describes the space, based in Cork’s South Mall. The hub was opened in 2017, and facilities available across its three floors include 140 co-working desks, an events space, workshop areas, boardrooms, private offices, a large business lounge and a dedicated accelerator lab for programmes and training.