In a modern office, it’s not uncommon to find either dedicated desks and/or hot desks. Truly flexible working has become more commonplace post lockdown and workspace norms are gradually shifting. Offices that were once full of rows of employees at dedicated desks today might look a little bit different. So, what are the benefits of having a Dedicated Desk vs Hot Desking?
What are the benefits of having a Dedicated Desk vs Hot Desking?
Dedicated Desk
A dedicated desk provides a fixed workspace for an individual or team. This means they have a specific desk and chair that they always use.
Benefits of Dedicated Desks:
- Personalisation: As their desk belongs solely to them, individuals can customise their space to suit their needs and preferences. They might choose to bring in personal belongings or make changes to the workspace setup to better suit their workflow.
- Stability: Having a fixed workspace can provide a sense of stability and routine which is often hard to find in the modern working world. Particularly after time away or out on site, a sense of familiarity and stability can be beneficial.
- Storage: As the workspace belongs to an individual, not a team, they can store additional items at their disposal. Rather than needing to entirely pack up each evening ready for the next person to use a desk, individuals can just get up and go.
Hot Desking
Hot desking is a more flexible arrangement where employees can choose any available desk on a first-come, first-served basis. Some businesses use a booking system to facilitate this and to provide some structure to the arrangement. For businesses with ample hot desks, this often isn’t necessary.
Benefits of Hot Desking:
- Flexibility: Hot desking allows for a more flexible work schedule, as employees can choose when and where to work. If they choose to work entirely remotely for a period of time, there won’t be an empty desk with their name on.
- Cost-effectiveness: Hot desking can be more cost-effective for companies. With the likelihood of every single person being in every single day fairly slim, businesses can reduce their overhead costs by paying for a smaller shared pool of workspaces. There is a reduced need for dedicated office space.
- Collaboration: Hot desking can foster collaboration and networking among employees who typically might not work together ordinarily. It also allows teams to share workspaces with those they are working with on a project in any given week.
Rather than leaning one way or the other, businesses often opt for a blended approach, offering both dedicated desks and hot desks. Hot desking is often suitable for field-based teams who are infrequently in the office but occasionally need somewhere to sit and work.
There are pros and cons to both dedicated desks and hot desks, so deciding what is best for your business will depend on your personal goals, budget and working styles.
Whether you’re after an office with dedicated desks or hot desks, our friendly team can help. We’re independent office space brokers who will find a space where your team love to work. To find out more about what we do and how we can help, just fill out the form below!
