The Pros and Cons of Hot Desking
As more businesses have adopted hybrid working models, and fewer people are travelling to the office every day, it doesn’t always make sense to have a large private office where everyone has their own dedicated workspace. Read on to learn about hot desking.
Instead, for some, it’s better to provide fewer desks and embrace a hot desking policy where desks are shared.
In a hot desk office, employees don’t have their personally assigned desks that they sit at day in, day out. Seats are typically reserved in advance or taken on a first-come first-served basis.
Could you benefit from this flexible workplace strategy?
To help you decide, let’s explore the advantages and potential challenges of hot desking.
Advantages of hot desking
· Lower costs
Hot desks provide a much more cost-effective alternative to a traditional office arrangement.
Due to the total number of desks being reduced, employee overhead costs are lowered – effectively freeing up resources that can be put to better use and allowing you to invest your finances elsewhere.
· Flexibility
When employees are not tied to a specific desk, they have the freedom to work when and where they want.
By sitting at a different desk every time they’re in the office, they get the chance to collaborate on ideas with people that they wouldn’t usually talk to – helping to form better employee relationships and build new connections.
· Better space utilisation
When the total number of desks and clutter is reduced, it helps to open up the space, creating an environment that helps workers to concentrate and be more productive.
Having fewer desks also makes it easier to keep the shared office clean and professional, which can make a good impression on clients and visitors.
· All-inclusive office space
Though it depends on the provider, employees will have access to a host of on-site facilities when they sign up for hot desk office space in Harrogate or Leeds.
Often, everything from high-speed internet and bookable meeting rooms to unlimited refreshments, access to communal areas and kitchens, free parking and electric car charging will be included in the overall price – meaning you needn’t worry about there being any hidden fees!
Disadvantages of hot desking
· Inconsistency
Nobody wants to fight to find a desk in a shared office space, but since desks are reserved or assigned on a first come first served basis, you need to think ahead when booking the right workspace for your needs.
· Limited privacy
Though shared office environments can boost productivity and creativity, they can get very noisy, which can pose a challenge for workers who deal with highly sensitive information or need to hold conversations both in person and over the telephone.
· Tech issues
Unless there is a team of IT experts on-site, like at 1 Cardale Park, employees may run into difficulties with technology and connectivity when using shared workstations in a hot desk space.
Is hot desking right for you?
Though businesses of all shapes and sizes are adopting a hot desking policy these days, it isn’t for everyone.
The whole point of renting a hot desk space is to improve productivity, collaboration and communication.
To establish whether this flexible approach is right for you, it’s worth thinking about whether you enjoy the flexibility of working in a professional office environment on some days and from home on other days.
Some hot desk providers accommodate the needs of employers – providing office space to suit their hybrid workers – while others provide hot desk office space for different organisations (i.e. self-employed workers and freelancers).
If you decide to embrace hot desking in Harrogate, Leeds or anywhere else, make sure you go to a reputable provider to benefit from a tailored solution.
