Updated September 2022
Did you know? The cubicle first made its office debut in 1967 under the theatrical name, Action Office II. These partially-enclosed workspaces were meant to revolutionize employee privacy and eliminate distractions. But today they’re typically seen as bland, isolating employee chambers for companies trapped in the past.
A new variable entering the office design world is the hybrid workforce. When designed correctly, a hybrid workplace can break down the walls between employees and encourages a much deeper level of connection and collaboration. A trend resurfacing today in response to an increasingly hybrid workforce, “Hot Desking” is a free-range approach to office design in which employees are encouraged to share more community space and even shuffle between larger tables, collaboration areas, and other open workspaces.
How Does Hot Desking Work?
Rather than exiling employees to their own isolated islands, hot desking can allow more access to your coworkers and the projects they’re working on. In the past, employees worked in an assembly line fashion. A project was passed down the line until it was completed. However, as employees work in their own separate “silos,” their projects either look nothing like the original vision, or the original concept has even been forgotten along the way. And with teams often being separated geographically, this disconnect has only increased.
Hot Desking and Hybrid Teams
For a hybrid team, hot desking gives every team member the opportunity to see a project through every step of the way. In addition, it creates a much more casual atmosphere to ask questions and collaborate together on every aspect of a project. This way, team members are no longer interrupting workdays with unnecessary meetings to discuss the project, and the original vision is still easily preserved from conception to completion. By creating flexibility in seating, employees can be in the right place instead of at an assigned desk.
Hot desking allows employees to sit close to others who are passionate about the same projects.
Additionally, working in open workspaces enables employees to learn more about your business from a number of different perspectives. For example, a marketing company that utilizes both writers and designers wastes time and money by separating the two departments. Placing them together or giving them the freedom to work closely when they need to gives them the opportunity to get a project right the first time without wasting time on after-the-fact feedback sessions. When they interact with their teammates from different departments more often, employees stay in touch with what’s going on in the business as a whole.
Here are just a few ideas for your hybrid workplace to break down the walls and boost your overall efficiency through employee collaboration.
Replace Cubes with Modular Desks
Employees can keep a sense of privacy with modular desks that feature optional partitions or low walls.
These types of desks can help maintain a sense of privacy for your employees without the claustrophobia of a cubicle. Choose from a wide variety of options, and customize your modular office furniture with removable partitions, low or high walls, and other smart, features. Plus, these desks are easy to rearrange into any design that works best for your team.
Casual Lounge Areas for Hot Desking
Employees should be free to take their work anywhere in the office. A variety of workspaces can make the transition easier as employees move between home and the office. Some people are better at brainstorming in a less formal atmosphere. Create zones with comfortable couches and chairs to provide that space for your team. Get creative, and make sure every corner of your office is optimized for teamwork and productivity.
The Right Space
Another popular strategy for hot desking is to replace wall-to-wall cubicles with many different zones. Focus workspaces. Collaboration areas. Training and planning space. Acoustic areas for private or small group work. And with the option for hot desking, employees can pick the zone that fits their work needs. This is a great way to get employees to interact and get excited about their work. Hot desking allows employees to sit close to others who are passionate about the same projects.
Hot desking gives every team member the opportunity to see a project through every step of the way.
Regardless of how you choose to implement modular office designs and hot desking strategies, one thing is for sure. Your employees will be amazed at much more productive they are. And how much more quickly the day flies by – when they’re up, moving around, and collaborating with a team as opposed to clockwatching alone in a cubicle or in their remote office.
Looking to create hot desking solutions for your hybrid office? Contact StrongProject.
