Hot-desking on the Rise
“It’s hard for an organisation to justify giving someone a permanent desk when they’re only coming in two days a week. It’s just not economical.”
- Tristan Gannan, Head of Tenant Representation, CBRE NSW
What's Hot-Desking Anyway?
Hot-desking, also known as hoteling or desk-sharing, is a workspace strategy that's all about flexibility. Instead of having dedicated desks for each employee, you provide a pool of desks that everyone can use on a first-come, first-served basis. Think of it like musical chairs for the office, but without the music (unless you want some background tunes to liven things up).
Why It's Good for Your Business
Now that you know what hot-desking is, you might be wondering would this be good for my business? Well, here are 3 compelling reasons you should strongly consider:
Cost Savings: Hot-desking can save you some serious $$$. Commonly, businesses are offering increased WFH flexibility. This means that the office is never full, and in turn, each employee does not need an allocated desk as the office does not reach full capacity. Hot desking slips into this flexibility offering easily, and provides you with better use of office space, reducing rent and utility costs along the way.
Increased Collaboration: Remember those water cooler chats and impromptu brainstorming sessions? Hot-desking encourages these interactions. When employees aren't tied to a single desk, they're more likely to move around, mingle, and collaborate with colleagues they might not have interacted with otherwise.
Attracting Talent: The modern workforce values flexibility and work-life balance. Offering hot-desking as an option can be a strong selling point for potential employees. It shows that you're committed to providing a dynamic and adaptable work environment.
Implementing Hot-Desking in Your Organisation
If you're sold on the idea of hot-desking, let's talk about how to make it work:
First things first, you need to communicate the change effectively to your employees. Explain the benefits and reassure them about any concerns they may have.
You'll need a booking system to manage desk reservations and keep track of who's using what space.
Create a well-designed office layout with different types of workspaces – quiet zones, collaborative areas, and private spaces.
Establish etiquette guidelines to ensure a harmonious workspace. This could include rules about noise levels, cleaning up after oneself, and respecting reservation times.
Hot-desking isn't a set-it-and-forget-it strategy. Continual review is necessary - Keep an eye on how it's working, gather feedback from your employees, and be prepared to adjust as needed.
Bottom-line
Change can be challenging, but with the right approach, hot-desking can transform your workplace into an efficient hub of innovation and productivity. So, why wait? It's time to embrace the hot-desking revolution!