As the workplace changes and evolves into a hybrid environment, the traditional methods of arranging office spaces are a follow-up. People want more flexibility and freedom and companies naturally rethink the necessity of large office spaces where everyone has each their own workstation.
This is the root of the current trend of hot desking, the practice of cutting down office space, and only using it for the time that is needed, with no assigned desks.
Although the practice can have appeal for certain types of employees and is certainly more economical, it could be a challenge for certain companies. In particular, cutting down on desks or moving to a more personal space could affect the culture of the company and alter the routines of employees. This could also pose a challenge to organizations that have more rigid hierarchical structures and force them to reconsider their structure.
To that end before implementing hot desking policies HR and operational managers must consider the pros and cons. They must consider the best way to implement it in their local workplace. To help you comprehend hot desking and think about its value to your company we have outlined its main advantages and drawbacks.
Are you curious to find out if hot desking is the right choice for you? Read on!
What is hot in the world of desking?
Hot desking, also referred to by the name desk sharing, or desk hoteling is a form of office layout and desk allocation where employees do not have their own assigned desks. Instead, the total number of desks are reduced and, based on policies of the company, seats are reserved ahead of time or taken on a first-come-first-serve basis.
The reason for this practice is the necessity for companies to be able to adjust to changes in work culture and the rise of employees working remotely at least a portion of the time. When an organization is able to adopt an increasingly hybrid approach to working, the introduction of hotdesking is more sensible as all of its employees seldom if ever come together all at once.
Like any other change in the operations of an organization, hot desking has its own advantages and drawbacks. It affects the cost of materials, however it also affects company culture and how employees feel about their work. Here are the various advantages and disadvantages for a hot desk Finsbury Park.
Benefits of hot desking
It’s no surprise the hot-desking trend is getting more well-known. There are many tangible advantages that this practice can bring to workplaces. This includes:
1. Cost-effective
In the beginning hot desks are cheaper than traditional office setups. Because of the fewer number of desks, employees’ expenses are reduced. This means that resources can be put to better uses.
2. Inclusion of mobile workers
Hot desks are very welcoming towards remote and mobile workers because it lets them be part of the workplace more easily. If desks aren’t “owned” to employees by the company, it’s less focus on filling up a desk and staying there. This allows for more flexibility and acceptance that certain employees have more mobility than other employees.
3. Facilitates collaboration
A more social culture in the workplace is created when seats are not assigned individually and desk neighbors are changed daily. Teams communicate more effectively and the work environment is more collaborative. It also brings a newness that can be missing in traditional workplaces. But, remember that you’ll probably need an effective hot desking policy to prevent issues that could hinder collaboration and teamwork.
4. Increased utilization of space
Space is usually more efficient when desks are reduced or less desks are utilized. The clutter is lessened and a cleaner space is created because desks must be cleaned and cleaned daily. This makes the room more open and decreases the amount of visual stimulation which can have a positive effect on productivity and concentration. This also makes a positive impression for clients in the office.
5. Promotes equality and enhances communication
If everyone is equal prior to the desk schedule, the hierarchies of workplaces are flattened, and the workplace becomes an equal playing field. This promotes more interaction and communication to one another in a much more immediate way both horizontally and vertically.
Additionally, this can also help to assist those who are in a position of decision-making to gain an understanding of how things work “on the ground”.
Hot desking has its disadvantages.
Of course hot desking isn’t all sunshine and roses. It is better to be aware of the negatives so that you are aware of these issues or prepare to take them into consideration from the beginning. The most common disadvantages often reported by businesses include:
1. Personalization is not as important.
The employees may feel their work environment as less personal because of the absence of designated places. If an office begins to lose personality, it could appear sterile and unwelcoming that can impact the company’s culture and the sense that they belong to the organization. This could, in turn, affect productivity and satisfaction at work.
2. The disruption of the hierarchy
The greater equality that hot desking promotes could be perceived as a sneering form of disruption for companies with higher-quality and more vertical structure. If your business is adamant about the distinction between managers, employees and executive Hot desking strategies must be adapted to take into account this characteristic.
3. The increase in IT resources
Although hot desks can reduce the use of offices and overhead expenses, it could also increase the cost of IT related expenses. At the very least it could increase the resources of an IT department.
One option to handle the situation is the introduction of hot desk scheduling software. This system opens the IT tools to manage the new office layout including the maintenance of network and workstations, and employees have the option to pick their own desks.
4. Health and safety regulations that are strict are required
In order to create the clean and tidy environment that hot desks promise it is possible to establish new safety, health and cleaning guidelines. It will require your employees to take on more care and accountability and may require them to adopt new behaviors.
Additionally, you should take into consideration employees with special needs. In a traditional workplace those with particular needs are guaranteed a work environment that is specifically designed for their needs. In a hot-desking environment it is necessary to make changes that will enable them to take part in the same way as they did before.
5. Changes in routine
Employees who are used to an established routine and set-up that is fixed and who are seeking more privacy may experience some disturbance. Although they might be able to adjust to the changes, they could cause a dip in productivity. Prepare yourself for some turbulent moments!
6. Intermittent communication breakdown
Although communication can improve over time but in the beginning it can be a bit shaky. Since employees are in various locations throughout the day, tracking down employees isn’t easy. To handle the issue it is likely that you’ll need to establish new channels of communication and guidelines to ensure that important messages are sent to everyone involved.
However it’s not an issue if you have policies for remote work that are in place and require the establishment of reliable communications channels.
Is hot desking right for your company?
One way to determine if hot desking is a good idea for your business is to conduct an employee survey. With more input you can find that your business is up to the task and that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. In contrast, you might find no support for this kind of arrangement.
Additionally, you could test hot desking in a smaller setting, for instance, with just one team before taking any decisions regarding the entire company. If it doesn’t work out, you can always scale back to the normal arrangement.
Hot desking isn’t for everyone. The decision of whether it’s right for your business depends on the culture of your company and how well your employees are comfortable working in the office. It is also important to include into the mix the value put on having a separate and distinct space. The main purpose of hot desks is to increase productivity as well as collaboration and communication. In the end, this is the thing you must be thinking about when coming to the decision.
Menu
© All Rights Reserved 2023