Should Offices be Designed for Hot Desking?

You may be wondering what hot desking is. Well, it’s a hybrid system where your team can use the available desks at different times. The term “hot desking” is believed to have derived from “hot racking,” where sailors with different shifts would share the same bunkbed at different times.

Hot desking is often used to:

• Maximise the utilisation of space
• Reduce business premises costs
• Improve desk efficiency

Hot Desking – What are the Benefits? 

You may be wondering “is hot desking a good idea?” Well, with the implementation of hot desking comes certain benefits. Here are some of the main ones:

• Improved rates of employee satisfaction

Hot desking allows an employee to choose where they sit, which provides a new level of autonomy and employee choice. It is often seen as empowering to the employee.

• Business integration

With the freedom of hot desking comes the opportunity to work around employees we wouldn’t normally interact with. With this comes a new level of access to new, original ideas and perspectives which can promote creativity and foster new business plans.

• Improved workplace cleanliness

By not having a set desk, it encourages employees to keep their desks clean for the next person, as they are unlikely to return to the same space during the next working day. 

Hot Desking – What are the Drawbacks?

• Reduced sense of belonging

Employees are unable to personalise their workspace. This can lead to feelings of discomfort and lack of belonging, which could decrease employee satisfaction for some.

• Logistical and technological issues

With hot desking, adapting to different setups and plugging/unplugging devices can prove stressful for some, and lead to a decrease in productivity.

• Lack of team spirit

It can be harder to build interpersonal connections with colleagues when hot desking, with different members scattered across the workspace. 

Factors to Consider with Hot Desking

Hot desking can be seen as both a positive and negative workplace system. If you want to introduce a hot desking office design, it’s important to consider the differing personalities, backgrounds and wishes of your employees. 

• Private spaces

For those dealing with sensitive conversations or tasks that require intense focus, consider private booths or enclosed spaces.

• Encourage employee feedback

One of the best ways to know if hot desking is working for your team is by asking. Create a system that enables employees to provide anonymous feedback so you can measure the happiness of your workforce.

• Prioritise hygiene and cleanliness

Ensure that shared spaces are cleaned on a regular basis to minimise the risk of bug-spreading and other hygiene-related issues.

How Daniel James Interiors Can Help

Given that hot desking can significantly impact the satisfaction of your employees, it is a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly, and it may feel like a daunting task. 

But if you have any questions about how you can create the best office fit-out for your hot desking workspace, let us help. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Daniel James for a friendly consultation. We are a team of reputable office specialists, with happy clients nationwide.