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What is hot desking? improve efficiency and collaboration in the
Hot desking is a workplace system where workplace. If there are five departments
employees use available desks at different working on a project, having a flexible work
times on a first-come, first-served basis. environment with a hot desking model can
Companies generally turn to hot desking to allow projects to be ramped up and down
maximize space utilization, improve desk quickly as needs change, without the need
efficiency, and reduce real estate costs. to add more real estate.
Efficiency. Employees don’t need to book
Why do we call it hot desking? hot desks in advance, which makes it easier
You might still be wondering: Why do we call it for employees to simply sit down, plug in,
hot desking? The term is said to have derived and get to work.
from the term “hot racking”—the practice of
sailors with different shifts sharing the same Hybrid work flexibility. Hot desking makes
bunk at different times. hybrid and flexible working easier. By
providing unassigned flexible seating on a
What are the benefits of hot desking? first-come, first-served basis, employees can
Hot desking provides benefits to both team show up and get to work without the hassle
members and employers. However, benefits of booking desks in advance or adhering to
change depending on how organizations offer set usage schedules.
hot desks:
Employee satisfaction. Empowerment in
Improved space utilization. Hot desking the workplace can have a huge impact
maximizes office space by reducing on employee satisfaction. Hot desking
assigned desks from the floor plan. allows employees to choose where they
sit, providing more employee choice and
Cost savings. Reducing real estate costs autonomy.
is a primary advantage. With hot desks in
place, companies can maximize the use Workplace cleanliness. Hot desking helps
of existing office space, limit the number employees focus on work, without the
of assigned desks from the floor plan, and distraction of a cluttered office desk. It also
reduce their real estate portfolio—or avoid demands employees leave desks clean, as
expanding before they need to. they may not return to the same desk.
Better employee relationships. Hot desking How can employers improve hot desking?
gives team members the chance to work Although hot desking has many perks, it also
alongside colleagues they may not see has a few downsides. For example, without
otherwise. This can help strengthen existing the right tools in place, it can be a hassle to
relationships, forge new connections, find a hot desk for the day. And as a result,
promote teamwork, and improve cross- employees aren’t always enamored with the
departmental rapport. thought of changing desks each time they
Improved collaboration. Hot desks can come to work. And teams don’t always get
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