Is hot-desking about to escalate?

The pandemic has fully disrupted traditional working practices. From flexible hours to remote working, these things were formally tested during lockdowns and found to work well.

Remote and hybrid working have proved to be such a success that some companies have downsized their shared workplaces/offices or got rid of them altogether. After all, there’s no point paying the rent on premises you hardly use, is there? Particularly when you look at all the alternative working solutions on offer nowadays.

Shared offices

Some larger companies have found themselves with lots of empty offices/space within their buildings. Not wishing to give up their location or facilities completely, some invited partner companies to move in with them, so that both entities could share the cost savings and so the space was fully utilised.

Sharing an office is also a solution for smaller companies—usually offices within a larger serviced building. Perfect for start-ups and SMEs, they typically come with short-term contracts and easy-in, easy-out conditions, to accommodate growing enterprises’ developing needs.

Hot desking as an employee

This helps a business save on its space. If Doris and Bob only work from the office three days a week, and Katie and Sarah work there the other two days, you don’t need four separate offices, just two hot desks. A hot desk is one that belongs to no one in particular, but which is simply utilised by anyone as and when needed.

Hot desking as an individual

Lots of smaller businesses only have one or two staff members (including the owner/founder). Though remote working is the most common option if you’re a one-man-band, some days, it may be difficult to concentrate when working from home. Think: school holidays, if there’s building work going on nearby, etc…hot desking is perfect as a temporary solution.

Usually charged on a daily (or half-daily) basis, you can simply turn up and grab a desk at your nearest serviced centre/offices. They will have all the things you need, such as a printer, good wi-fi, parking, a shared kitchen and loos.

I work as a freelancer and whilst it’s convenient for me to work from home (no need to leave the house, don’t have to care what I wear, access to the fridge), my other half works a four-on, four-off shift pattern. This means he can be having a day off midweek when I really want to concentrate on some work or I’m up against a deadline. He doesn’t mean to disturb me, but someone knocking about the house or pottering in the garden can still be distracting when you’re trying to focus. Add in the kids—if they’re working from home or it’s the college holidays—and an extremely yappy, grumpy dog, and it's a wonder I get any peace. If I know we’re all going to be on top of each other, I escape to The Junction, Horbury. I wish it was on my doorstep, but the drive is worth it for some peace and quiet, collaborative discussions with other ‘hot-deskers’, and their lovely on-site coffee shop.