Is it Right for You and Your Business?

Today, the trappings of a traditional workspace aren’t as appealing as they once were—and haven’t been for a while. Largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ideas like working remotely and coworking have become convenient, innovative alternatives to the common office setting. Take BUILD Cowork + Space for example, which presents members with the opportunity to rent a space among other professionals and come and go as needed. The concept BUILD offers is becoming more and more popular, leading to the debate of “hot desking,” and if it’s appropriate for your business.

In simple terms, hot desking refers to a flexible office space arrangement where individuals don’t have assigned desks or workstations, but instead share a pool of workspaces on an as-needed basis. As such, it’s possible—even likely—to sit at a different desk on each visit.

Of course, there are both pros and cons associated with hot desking, which we’ve explored below. Take a look!

The Pros of Hot Desking

Hot desking provides advantages for both employers and employees, such as:

  • Cost Savings

Companies can optimize their office space by reducing the number of workstations needed, which can save on real estate costs.

  • Flexibility

Employees can choose where they work, which can increase their sense of autonomy and job satisfaction. Additionally, hot desking lets companies accommodate remote or mobile workers who may not need a full-time, dedicated workspace.

  • Collaboration

Hot desking can encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing between people who may not have interacted otherwise.

  • Increase in Productivity

By choosing where to work, hot desking can help reduce distractions and interruptions, leading to greater productivity.

  • Reduced Environmental Impact

Hot desking cuts back on energy usage and waste, preserving the environment.

The Cons of Hot Desking

Though hot desking has myriad benefits, as listed above, it can also have potential drawbacks:

  • Reduced Privacy

It’s usual to feel uncomfortable or distracted by the lack of privacy in a hot desk environment.

  • Lack of Personalization

With hot desking, employees do not have a designated workspace to call their own, making it more difficult to personalize their workspace and make it feel like theirs.

  • Trouble Finding a Workspace

If there are too few workspaces available or desks are in high demand, employees may struggle to find a place for themselves.

  • Challenging to Build Work Relationships

Without a designated desk, employees may find it more difficult to establish a sense of camaraderie or work relationships with colleagues.

Is Hot Desking Right for You?

Overall, hot desking is a cost-effective and flexible solution that can improve collaboration, productivity, and job satisfaction. However, considering the disadvantages of hot desking is equally necessary, as this specific setup may not be ideal for all.

To find out what’s best for you and your needs, we recommend giving BUILD Cowork + Space a try. Different memberships are available to purchase, like our Day Pass option, which allows you to try hot desking for a single day to determine if it’s a good fit.

To learn more (or schedule a tour!), click here.