Does Hot Desking Improve Productivity?

Will hot desking improve productivity at your office? There is no real clear answer to this question, but we’ll tell you some of the pros and cons.

If you're asking yourself, "Does hot desking improve productivity?" you've probably already considered the benefits of hot desking and if hot desking could work at your company. This type of office setting encourages employees to move around, allowing for more open and honest conversation.. And it also encourages employees to collaborate in a whole new way. Read on to find out whether hot-desking is right for your company.

Hot desking encourages employees to move around the office

While hot desking has its merits, there are also some drawbacks. Companies should carefully consider whether it will reduce costs or create a chaotic environment. Some employees and managers may be uncomfortable with the idea of moving around the office frequently. However, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. The following are some of the most common benefits of hot desking.

Collaboration

Using hot desking can also improve collaboration. Giving employees the opportunity to interact with different people, encourages fresh discussions and collaboration. As a result, employees can make better decisions and work in a more productive environment. The idea is not just applicable to remote workers but to anyone working in an in-office environment.

Cost savings

A company can save money implementing hot desking and achieve significant cost savings by offering a more flexible working environment and encouraging employees to use different spaces and the same desk as many of their co-workers instead of having their own personal space with their own desks.

Reduce burnout

Hot desking can also help in reducing the risk of burnout by exposing employees to a thriving work environment.

Implementing hot desking environment

Implementation of hot-desking can be difficult, so it is important to pilot it in an appropriate office environment first. It is a good idea to start by piloting hot desking in a single floor, department, or building to work out any kinks. Getting input from employees is important for a hot desking policy to work smoothly. Encourage employee input as much as possible. Employees who feel supported are more likely to be supportive of the plan.

Possibility to add different desk types

You may want a workspace bookable as opposed to just ad-hoc. Great hot desking software can show the availability of bookable and ad-hoc desks by monitoring presence, and therefore automatically showing your desk's availability.

Moreover, hot desking allows employees to work at different places within the same office. The advantage is that employees can stay connected and productive no matter where they are. Often, hot-desking is considered an organizational work environment system, wherein an employee can use a desk in the company and choose to work there. In some cases, companies that have implemented hot desking, also choose to implement desk hoteling which lets employees have the option to book their workstations via software to find the best location for their tasks. This can also be of great advantage for companies that have also implemented a hybrid workplace, having remote workers that need to have the possibility to book a desk in advance.

While hot desking has many advantages, it is not without its drawbacks. Employees may feel more productive in an open office where they can move freely. However, this method of work may also lead to unproductive behaviors, negative relationships, and uncooperative behavior. Despite all of these advantages, hot desking is still a controversial concept among some business owners. Nevertheless, it is a great way to encourage employees to improve their performance in a company.

How hot desking can encourage open and honest conversations

Effective communication is essential to running a successful organization. Employees who are comfortable discussing concerns with their co-workers are more likely to produce better work and understand important policies. Open and honest communication between employers and employees also promotes an atmosphere of trust. This type of atmosphere is also good for the company's bottom line, as an open door policy can save employers thousands of dollars a year on employee turnover.

Encourage collaboration across departments with hot desking

Traditional work involves employees being seated together with their own team members performing similar jobs. Hot desking can promote collaboration in a number of ways. First, it gives employees the opportunity to meet and work with people from other departments whom they might not otherwise have had the chance to interact with. Second, it provides a more efficient way for employees to collaborate on tasks or projects that require input from multiple departments. Finally, hot desking can help build relationships between employees from different departments, which can lead to more effective communication and coordination in the future.

Having an open and honest workplace also fosters inclusion within teams. Employees feel like they belong to a team when their input is valued and acknowledged. This attitude is also conducive to higher productivity and morale. Open communication can also help increase employee engagement and productivity. In addition, it fosters teamwork and encourages employees to take initiative and work hard. The result is a healthier, happier workplace for everyone.

Reduced spread of bacteria in shared workspaces using hot desks

A study found that hot desking increased bacterial contamination in a shared workspace by 18%, compared with a traditional fixed-desk workplace. This is a concerning result considering the increased risk of infection due to cross-contamination and viruses. Something that potentially can lead to enormous costs for certain companies due to illnesses caused by shared workspaces, leading to the conclusion that a hot desk may not be a healthy option for many workers. Therefore, encouraging hand hygiene is important to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses.

A hot desk environment may promote better hand hygiene in many cases, which in turn, reduces the chance of transferring germs.

Using antibacterial wipes to clean desks after use is another way to reduce the number of bacteria and viruses spread in shared workspaces that have implemented a hot desking solution.

Despite concerns, hot desking can reduce the risk of spreading bacteria and viruses in shared workspaces, and as long as employees are trained and educated about the risks, hot desking can help improve employee health.

Employees will return to work feeling better, thanks to the increased comfort and safety it brings.

The health benefits of hot desking can be immense for employers. So, consider these different health aspects when considering a hot desking solution for your business.

Hot desking encourages employees to have a cleaner office space

By encouraging employees to become minimalists, hot desks can improve workplace cleanliness and encourage workers to think less. Minimalists do not keep photos and clutter on their desks, leading to a cleaner co-shared office space.

Hot desking forces employees to be more efficient. Because the workspace is shared with others, employees have to be more organized and minimalist.

Hot desking also encourages employees to take their belongings with them when leaving their workstations, something that can lead to increased stress, when not knowing where to sit each day.

Conclusion

There is no definitive answer when it comes to whether or not hot desking improves productivity. Some studies show that it does, while others suggest that there are potential drawbacks to the practice. The bottom line is that each workplace is different and will respond differently to a hot desk environment. It’s important for companies to weigh the pros and cons of hot desking before making a decision.

Some of the pros of hot desking include:

It can promote collaboration and communication between employees.
It can lead to a more efficient use of workspace.
It can encourage employees to be more organized and minimalist.
It can improve workplace cleanliness.

Some of the potential drawbacks of hot desking include:

It can lead to increased stress for employees.
It can be disruptive to workflows.
It can result in a loss of personalization and privacy for employees.
It can be difficult to implement in larger workplaces.

If you’re not sure how or if you should implement hot desking, we are always here to help and guide you along the way. So feel free to reach out to us any time at info@flowscapesolutions.com to learn about how we can provide you with the best solution possible for your business and situation.