Hot desking
Hot desking is a type of flexible workplace setup where desks are shared by different people at different times. The goal is to offer flexibility and also reduce real estate requirements. Typically, hot desking is run on an ad-hoc, first-come-first-serve basis. Meaning, desks are not usually reserved in advance. Instead, employees claim a desk upon arriving at the office. There’s no rhyme or reason as to who will sit beside them.
Hot desking is known to increase employee interaction, collaboration, and innovation. Employees end up meeting and conversing with fellows they wouldn’t have encountered with a static seating arrangement. Plus, flexible seating offers employees more opportunities to work with colleagues who inspire them.
With hot desking, employers can cut back on redundant office space. With most offices transitioning to a hybrid work model, only 30-60% of employees are working in the office any day of the week. With hot desking, companies can cut back on approximately 30% of their real estate and still have plenty of room for their employees.
Still, as wonderful as hot desking is, it can be better. Just like with any ad-hoc scenario, there’s a level of chaos before harmony. Employees waste minutes per day just looking for an available workstation. Any level of uncertainty can throw off their morning, making for a slow start.
Desk hoteling is an effective solution. The key difference between desk hoteling and hot desking is that employees can reserve desks before even arriving at the office. With the right desk booking solution in place, employees know exactly where their desk is, what resources the desk comes with, and who has reserved the nearby desks.