As hybrid working, coworking, and flexible working hours continue to rise in popularity, hot-desking is becoming a staple system that can benefit you; as an employee or business owner. Hot-desking allows you to work in inspiring locations at a time that suits you.
We take pride in eleven elegantly designed buildings in London’s most desirable locations, offering a range of coworking spaces suitable for hot-desking.
So, let’s explore. What is hot-desking? And is it right for you?
Table of Contents
What is Hot-Desking? A Definition
Hot-desking is a workplace system in which you can choose from available work spots. Spaces are used by different people at different times. In a hot-desking environment, you do not have an assigned workspace but instead can choose from any available table when you arrive.
How Does Hot-Desking Work?
Hot-desking is used in lounges and coworking spaces. Usually, you arrive at the building and check in with the team at reception before finding your chosen workstation for the day. At Argyll, our coworking membership allows you to visit all 11 coworking lounges as often as you like, for as long as you like. You bring your own laptop and personal items, which can easily be plugged into a hot-desk setup. Often, there are shared resources such as printers, meeting rooms, video call booths and phone booths for private calls and meetings.
The Advantages of Hot-Desking for Team Members
Hot-desking can benefit you whether you are an employee, self-employed or a business owner.
Increased Collaboration
Hot-desking can lead to increased collaboration and networking opportunities. Sitting at a different desk each day allows you to meet new people and have inspiring conversations. This can lead to fruitful collaborations and shared success. This may be especially beneficial for you if you are self-employed and seeking business partnerships.
Improved Productivity
A new space, atmosphere and view can work wonders for creativity and productivity. One study found that 46% of workers felt more productive in a hot-desking environment. This may be because there are fewer distractions and because it offers you the chance to sit in a fresh, clean ‘thinking space.’
Better Relationships With Colleagues
In a private office setting, hot-desking can foster better relationships and understanding between you and your colleagues. It offers the opportunity to work next to a wide range of people, broaden each other’s knowledge, and bring the team together as a whole.
Reduced Hierarchies
Hot-desking can reduce hierarchical structures. Often, in a standard office setting, those in management roles may have their own private or luxury offices. However, hot-desking allows everyone to work on the same playing field. This allows you to feel seen, heard and comfortable to bring your innovative ideas to the table.
Flexibility with Hybrid Working
Hot-desking is the perfect complement to hybrid working. It allows you to find a balance between working at home and working in an environment with others, at a time and in a place that suits you. It’s the ultimate flexibility solution.
The Benefits of Hot-Desking for Businesses
Hot-desking also has many benefits for businesses.
Improved Space Utilisation
It has been found that hot-desking can remove up to 40% of wasted space in traditional office environments. Using a hot-desk seating arrangement can dramatically improve space use and free up areas for meeting rooms, well-being spaces, and other innovative ideas.
Fosters Tidy Workspaces
At the end of each day, you take your personal belongings home, supporting a clean and clutter-free environment. At Argyll, our cleaners walk around the building throughout the day to keep the office environment fresh and clean.
Scalability
Hot-desking allows for scalability within a business. As a business owner, you can accommodate more employees within the same space, allowing for growth without the immediate need for expansion. It also offers the opportunity to streamline company resources and processes, which can support building a solid, scalable business model.
Environmentally Friendly
Hot-desking typically requires less office space per employee because desks are shared. This reduction in space results in lower energy consumption for heating, cooling, and lighting. Plus, this reduces the demand for raw materials used for manufacturing office furniture. Co-working and hot-desking offer the opportunity for you, as a business owner, to save energy and lower your impact on the environment.
What Are the Disadvantages of Hot-Desking?
Whilst hot-desking has many advantages, you may want to consider the following factors to determine whether hot-desking is suitable for you and your business.
Disrupting Routines
Some people work extremely well when they have a predictable routine; this may be simply down to different personality types or neurodivergence amongst the team. If you benefit from structure and routine, hot-desking may not be for you, instead, consider a private office space.
However, if you benefit from a routine and are open to experimenting with hot-desking, you can create a routine by planning when and where you want to work. This will enable you to have a routine, whilst opening yourself up to meeting new people, collaborations and fresh ‘thinking’ spaces.
Storage Issues
You may be worried that there will not be space to store all your work items or personal belongings. Take comfort in the knowledge that most of our buildings have lockers – speak to the team for more information.
Best Practices for Successful Hot-Desking
Here are three top tips for a successful hot-desking experience.
Plan Ahead
Plan your day, including when and where you’ll need to work to avoid unnecessary complications. If you need to use a meeting room or video call booth for a private call, speak to the team to book this in advance.
Get Familiar With the Space
Ask the building team for a tour of the building prior to hot-desking. This will enable you to get familiar with all of the areas and facilities available to you. You will then be able to use the various work spots and communal spaces to work and relax.
Be Consistent with Communication
Hot-desking spaces need to communicate consistently. If a policy or procedure changes, we will make it accessible and known to all. If you are using a hot desk, follow these procedures and communicate with the team if any problems arise.
Concluding Thoughts – Hot-Desking
Hot-desking is a flexible, efficient, and inspiring approach to modern workspace dynamics that has many benefits. By using flexible seating arrangements, businesses can optimise their use of resources, foster collaboration, and adapt more readily to changing work patterns. You can benefit from increased productivity, flexibility, and workplace satisfaction while experiencing growth and improved relationships with colleagues.
We take pride in our stylish coworking and hot-desking locations across the City of London, Holborn, Chelsea, Victoria, Mayfair and beyond. We believe in exceptional spaces with attentive service and take pride in our stunning environments with sophisticated lounges, gardens and roof-top terraces. Our collection of offices offers high-speed connectivity, private video call booths, secure bike storage, admin support services, access to secure lockers, concierge services and specialist IT support and advice.
We understand that every working day is different, so why be tied to one desk?
Hot-desk from as little as £375 per month across London’s most iconic locations.
Contact our experienced and attentive team to find out more about hot-desking.
