Hotdesking is a flexible office arrangement where employees do not have assigned desks within the office, but where they can choose a workspace based on their needs for the day. It is part of the broader model of hybrid and flexible working that more and more organisations are now adopting. Here are the 10 key benefits of hotdesking for organisations and their employees:
10 important benefits of hotdesking:
- Flexibility: Employees have the freedom to choose where they work, promoting a more adaptable work environment and allowing companies to optimise office space.
- Variety: Workers can experience different workspaces, fostering creativity, reducing monotony, and enhancing resource utilisation for companies.
- Collaboration: Hotdesking encourages spontaneous interactions, leading to increased collaboration, teamwork, and innovation.
- Networking: Employees get the opportunity to interact with a diverse range of colleagues, promoting a more interconnected workplace and global collaboration.
- Work-life balance: Hotdesking supports a better work-life balance by allowing employees to choose locations that suit their personal needs on a particular day, contributing to higher job satisfaction and employee morale.
- Autonomy: Employees have more control over their work environment, allowing them to tailor it to their preferences and needs, fostering employee engagement.
- Efficiency: Employees can choose workspaces that align with the specific tasks they need to complete, potentially increasing productivity and agility for companies.
- Cost savings: Reduced need for personal workspaces can lead to cost savings in terms of office space and resources, promoting cost efficiency and sustainability.
- Adaptability: Hotdesking supports a more dynamic and adaptable workforce, crucial in fast-paced and evolving industries, while setting the stage for remote work integration.
- Talent attraction: Offering flexible work arrangements, including hotdesking, can make a company more attractive to potential employees, enhancing talent attraction and retention efforts.
How to manage hotdesking
To implement and manage hotdesking effectively, there are a number of factors an organisation should consider:
- Clear policies: Establish clear guidelines and policies for hotdesking, outlining expectations for employees and providing a framework for implementation.
- Technology support: Ensure that the necessary technology and tools are in place to support hotdesking and flexible working.
- Reservation system: Implement a desk booking software system such as Viewteam for reserving desks, workspaces and meeting rooms to manage space efficiently.
- Training: Provide training for employees on how to use the hotdesk booking system effectively and promote good workplace etiquette.
- Feedback mechanism: Establish a feedback mechanism to continuously improve the hotdesk booking system based on employee experiences and needs.
- Monitor and adapt: Monitor workspace usage against available capacity and adjust the hotdesking strategy based on the evolving needs of the workforce.
- Communication: Emphasise the benefits of hotdesking to employees and address any concerns or challenges through internal communication channels.
- Workspace design: Design workspaces with flexibility in mind, providing a variety of spaces, rooms and desks to accommodate different work styles and preferences.
- Privacy considerations: Address privacy concerns by providing private spaces or implementing policies that respect the need for concentration and confidentiality.
- Employee wellbeing: Consider the impact of hotdesking on employee wellbeing and make adjustments as needed to ensure a positive and healthy work environment.
In summary, hotdesking along with hybrid working, offers numerous benefits for both employees and companies. Flexibility, cost savings and a better employee experience are key immediate benefits, but successful implementation requires clear policies, technological support, and a commitment to adapt based on feedback and evolving needs.