Hot Desking – Is it right for your office?

Over the past few years, a trend called “Hot Desking”, in the workplace has emerged. Hot Desking also referred to as “Desk Hoteling” is the practice of an office replacing permanent offices and cubicles with temporary work spaces. Employees use these work spaces only when they are required or on a rotating system, rather than each worker having their own desk. By setting up work stations instead of cubicles, your busines can move away from a rigid structure and move toward flexibility, providing your employees with options.

Have your employees expressed a desire to move throughout office spaces during the day?

Here are some pros and cons of Hot Desking.

Pros:

Price-Hot Desking is more cost effective than a conventional layout because business typically need less space. This allows companies to cut their office space in half, sometimes less, providing an opportunity to save on the annual budget. It can also encourage more efficient sharing of corporate resources (e.g. printers, scanners, shredders, etc.), which can further reduce capital and operational costs.

More Interaction- Cross-functional collaboration is a key priority for most businesses, but difficult to achieve. Hot desking encourages employees to interact and engage with different people. Aside from the productivity and knowledge sharing benefits, this can enhance company culture.

Flexibility- This modern office method lets workers choose how and where they work. Hot Desking makes it easy for employees to collaborate and work independently. It allows for a more compact and efficient office and flex-time too!

Lack of Distraction- Some people work best in a quiet environment, with no distractions. Others prefer a vibrant and bustling atmosphere. Whereas some are more productive when inspired by new surroundings. Employees are given options to choose where they will be most productive.

Tidier, Minimal Working Spaces- With no permanent desk it forces employees to become minimalistic and as a result, clutter is cut considerably. At the end of the day, each space must be cleared and tidy ready for who uses it next. And the more ‘stuff’ people have, the longer this process will take.

Cons:

Difficult to Find Co-Workers- With ever changing desk users, it may be difficult to find your colleagues when you need to meet throughout the day.

A Lack of Personality- Without a dedicated desk, employees cannot put their personal stamp on a section of the office. This may result in an office lacking warmth or personality, and feeling uninviting.

Sitting in Someone’s Mess- Not everyone will clean up their mess. Providing sanitary wipes is an easy solution to clean up a shared desk and seating space after each use. Similar to a public gym, this can be enforced to assure cleanliness in the workplace.

No Permanent Storage- There is no permanent storage, meaning you’ll have to carry essential items, such as paperwork or stationary, around with you.

The Seats Are All Empty or There’s Nowhere to Sit- Flexible working means staff can work from home or on the move, and a lot of the time office seats will go empty. As a result, you may be tempted when arranging your workplace design during an office refurbishment to reduce the number of seating places and to introduce a hot desking scheme to maximize your space. However, what happens if one day, everyone decides to come into work? You won’t have enough seats to go around! This can have a hugely detrimental effect on morale and productivity.

Is hot desking right for your office?

As with any adjustment in the office space, proper planning, consultation and communication is key. We’d love to talk to you about hot desking for your office space. Contact us today!