Due to the rise of remote work, shared coworking spaces, and open office plans, hot desking is now a fixture of modern working life. It lets people work anywhere they want and at any time. It is a tool that most established businesses and self-employed people use to connect and stay productive no matter where their jobs take them.
This office setup has a wide range of advantages, from flexibility and convenience to intangibles such as creativity and community. However, how does it operate, and is it appropriate for your business?
What is hot desking?
It is an organizational workspace setup where users use different workstations at different bases. This setup aims to decrease unnecessary office space, increase space efficiency, and lower the risks that come with real estate. Hot desks can be used in both private and shared offices. The social aspect of hot desking is highlighted as a technique to stimulate cross-disciplinary collaboration; its flexibility is generally related to increased staff innovation.
How it works
As mentioned earlier, hot desks offer space for professionals in private and shared office spaces. One is only required to find a desk, plug in their laptop or any other devices, and begin working. Depending on the environment, the particulars for hot-desking may vary. Below are some factors to consider when searching for the best hot desk.
- Easy access to power outlets
Reliable hot desks have power outlets and a stable WiFi connection. There are specialized call-taking locations away from the desk in shared coworking spaces, such as phone booths or communal lounges. Private office environments have a permanent phone attached with the desk, especially in sales organizations, to serve various employees.
- Printing facilities
Hot desking environments like conference rooms are equipped with a central printer that users use via web login or an app. The community team manages the printers in open workspaces, while office managers control those in private environments.
- Storing personal items
The lack of a distinct “base” for users to store their essentials such as work accessories, bags, and jackets is a frequently voiced problem related to hot-desking. The way this is handled varies depending on the workspace. Employees are only allowed to keep their stuff at a hot desk for a specific period while attending meetings or to take lunch in some coworking locations. Reliable coworking spaces have lockers or cubby holes for their hot desk users. Employees in private offices are more likely to stay at the same desk for the entire day, regardless of lunch breaks or meetings.
- Kitchen, bathrooms, and other common facilities
Kitchens and bathrooms should be part of the hot-desking facility. They are maintained and supplied by office management. Some hot-desk agreements in all-inclusive solutions also include complimentary coffee, silent spaces meant for meditation, bathroom essentials such as hair products and lotion, as well as amenities like a communal workspace.
Most employees’ work engagement and productivity in coworking spaces have been reported to rise, and hot-desking is one approach to take advantage of this trend. Having a shared workspace to go to for a field-based employee is convenient.