Hot desking is a term that is used when a desk has no specific owner, and is shared by a system 'first come first served'. This article underlines both pro's and con's to hot desking, as we explore which....
Office Musical Chairs- Hot or Not
Pros':
With the term "Hot Desking" branded mainly in and around the creative industry, this term has now been adopted across a wide variety of sectors.
With the new and approved Internet and phone signals the fade of the permanent desk area. Increase in flexible hours, combined with the tightening of company belts see's this as having a positive impact, as it results in staff working remotely or from home; Less heads equals less over heads.
With the new and approved Internet and phone signals the fade of the permanent desk area. Increase in flexible hours, combined with the tightening of company belts see's this as having a positive impact, as it results in staff working remotely or from home; Less heads equals less over heads.
Cons:
Of course you will have them rare day's when too many staff will decide to work from within the office, and the demand for desks will be too high. Not just that, but if you have an organisation that doesn't have the best telephone system, it can prove to be a real headache transferring through calls- Trust us we know form experience!
A more recent example was the BBC in Media City UK HQ, were employees were told to hot desk and clear paper work in preparation for the next occupants. What upset all the staff was the fact there was nowhere to keep their work safe, perhaps the BBC could have avoided this- if only they had lockers of some sort?
A good compromise of this is Coca Cola, as they moved London offices in April 2014. They decided against desk-hopping, and instead opted to alternative working environments encouraging flexibility.
Of course for some, office space can be spared, but for many, this isn't possible. With the help of a good planning and design manager, pitfalls can be prematurely avoided.
For instance, breakout areas can also be doubled as work stations, if the right furniture is fitted then this would be work wonders for a happy workplace!
For instance, breakout areas can also be doubled as work stations, if the right furniture is fitted then this would be work wonders for a happy workplace!
Of course it depends on the type of business and infrastructure you have; however, with the right modifications and design work, hot desking can work.
Conclusion:
The practise can certainly make up part of the solution for instance, if a colleague is at home sick, then it would make sense to replace another team member at their desk, enforcing at the same time 'Team Engagement', as it forces colleagues to speak to a member of the team they perhaps wouldn't normally.
This has the power to spark conversation and inspiration in one another, as well as build a stronger office team.
This has the power to spark conversation and inspiration in one another, as well as build a stronger office team.
Hot desking should definitely not be viewed as a one size fits all.
What will the future of the staff environment in years to come? will the traditional office cease to exist at all?
Perhaps the modern office will become a lot more flexible by making the best use of available technology and space? Although the transition will take many years, the future adoption of collaborations and communication will bee in essence what provokes the movement.
Perhaps the modern office will become a lot more flexible by making the best use of available technology and space? Although the transition will take many years, the future adoption of collaborations and communication will bee in essence what provokes the movement.
