It’s no secret that flexible working is becoming more and more popular in the modern workplace. One of the most popular ways to achieve this is by hot desking, or desk sharing. But what exactly is hot-desking? How does it work? And what are the benefits?
What is hot-desking?
Hot desking is a way of sharing office space—it is a way to increase employee productivity and reduce the cost of office space. Hot desking is based on an open office concept where employees can work from any desk in the building.
In some cases, employees are given assigned desks at the start of each workday. Other times they need to check in with a receptionist or other staff member before claiming a desk for themselves.
Hot desking allows companies to save money on facilities management by not having to pay for extra offices or cubicles that may sit empty most days out of the year when employees are travelling on business trips or working remotely from home.
How does hot-desking work?
Hot desking is a flexible working arrangement that allows employees to use any available desk in the office. If a desk becomes free, they can simply sit down and start working on it.
While this method may sound chaotic, it actually makes sense for companies of all sizes and industries. Hot desking can increase productivity because people are constantly moving around the office, which increases their exposure to new information and ideas. This keeps them engaged and motivated while also improving their moods—which has been proven to affect their performance levels!
The benefits of hot-desking and desk-sharing
- Reduced office space costs. Hot desking and desk-sharing can reduce the amount of physical space required for employees by up to 50 per cent! That’s a lot of money saved on rent or mortgage payments.
- Reduced office furniture costs. As mentioned above, fewer desks mean fewer purchases of chairs, desks, and other furniture items that are often moved around when employees move their workspaces from one location to another. You may even be able to avoid buying some items entirely (for example, if you don't have a cubicle).
- Increased employee productivity: When you allow your employees more flexibility in where they work during the day, they’re likely going to get more done because they won't be distracted by other tasks waiting at home or on their phone screen while trying desperately not to look like they're playing Candy Crush while at work! And since workers aren't stuck in one place all day long either (which means no commute!), this leads us right into our next benefit...
Best office software: Desk sharing software and apps
While not every business has the resources to install new equipment and renovate workspaces, there are several ways you can utilize hot desking in your office.
One of the most popular ways is by using a shared virtual desktop system. Virtual desktops allow employees to log into a central server remotely so that they have access to the same files and applications as everyone else on the network. This makes it easier for coworkers who aren't physically located near each other at any given time—whether it's due to travel or long hours—to collaborate effectively without having to constantly send emails back and forth asking for important documents or reminding one another about upcoming meetings.
Another option is through software that allows multiple users' computers to access one computer monitor at a time (this type of program is known as "hotdesking"). Hotdesking allows people who need access but aren't currently sitting at their desks use another person’s computer/monitor instead—and vice versa when necessary! In this scenario, employees won't have their own dedicated stations but will be able to move around freely within reach of stationary workstations set up throughout an open office space (think Googleplex).
Hot desking is not just an office trend—it’s a productivity tool for businesses looking for new ways to get more out of their employees with less space and resources spent.