Hot Desks VS Dedicated Spaces

Hot desking, where employees share communal work spaces including desks, phones and computers is just one flexible working trend on the rise in modern offices. Should all organisations be looking to move to hot desking or is it best to keep some personal space aside for each employee? Here we explore how the two methods shape up in terms of specific concerns for the business:

Cost

Hot desking saves organisations money, not only on furniture and computers but also on the overall office space needed in the first place. Some firms have quoted savings of around 30%. Allocating an office desk to each employee is more expensive and may not be cost effective. After all, with more and more employees working remotely and/or part time, why waste money on desks that sit empty much of the time?

Siloed working

Hot desking encourages a creative environment and less ‘siloed’ working, as people get to meet and interact with members of their organisation situated on different teams. It facilitates discussions, sharing of ideas and feelings of unity. It also means no one has to sit with people they don’t want to for any reason. Where employees have their own desks they will only have exchanges with the same colleagues on a daily basis - whether they want to or not.

Setting up time

Hot desking employees claim they lose time bringing their required materials to the desk and setting up their computer. That’s after finding a free desk in the first place, which can be difficult in itself. Employees with allocated spaces do not have to worry about setting up their equipment and can store required notes close at hand in a way that is easily accessible and sensible to them, saving time at the start of their working day.

Health concerns

Hot desking can allow the rapid spread of illnesses as one employee with a bug quickly spreads it across each desk they use. At least where the employee has their own desk, they are only coughing and sneezing on their own phone and keyboard.

In addition, the position of workstations can cause serious musculoskeletal aches and pains if not correctly set up for the employee. Employees with allocated desks do not need to worry about adjusting their chair or locating a foot rest every day - everything they need is where they left it.

Mess and tracking faults and breakages

With hot desking, no one is specifically responsible for a workspace, so people tend to be less careful about leaving mess and tracking any damages and faults - they just remember not to sit in the same place the next day. Where employees have their own desks, they are more likely to take care of their immediate surroundings and report and follow up on equipment faults as they know they will need to use it again, that day or the next.

We hope this quick guide has helped you decide whether dedicated spaces or hot desking is best for your business.

Southern Office Furniture have a vast range of desks, from standard office desks and call centre desks to impressive glass desks and executive desks. Whichever way you choose to set up your office, Southern Office Furniture is able to offer an extensive range of furniture, superb quality products and expert advice.