What Is Hot-Desking as a Workplace Trend?

Hybrid work setups are on the rise, giving birth to the phenomenon of “hot-desking,” where communal desks replace assigned ones in the office.

Tawny Lott Rodriguez, the HR director at Rowland Hall in Salt Lake City, observed the surge of hot-desking alongside the growing popularity of flexible work arrangements and space optimization initiatives. In her previous role at a major accounting firm in Utah, she introduced the “hotel office system” to address space constraints due to rapid employee expansion. Rodriguez acknowledges both the benefits and drawbacks of this approach.

What Is Hot-Desking?

Hot-desking entails a shared workspace where desks aren’t assigned to individuals. Instead, employees select available desks on a daily basis. It’s also known as “hoteling” or “hotel-style workspaces.”

Is Hot-Desking Beneficial for Employees?

While some see hot-desking as beneficial for fostering collaboration and a sense of community, others perceive it as disruptive and impersonal. Matt Jones, CEO of WonderDays, appreciates how hot-desking accommodates their flexible workspace needs, but acknowledges its impact on stability and belonging.

Pros and Cons of Hot-Desking

Hot-desking offers space efficiency and encourages collaboration for companies. Employees enjoy flexibility and a change of scenery, but may feel a loss of personalization and struggle with focus and isolation.

Addressing Concerns about Hot-Desking

Rodriguez suggests approaching management with professionalism and directness to discuss concerns about hot-desking. Emphasizing collaboration can lead to finding solutions that benefit everyone involved.