Hot-Desking and Coworking: The pros and cons of this flexible working model

Hot-desking and coworking are quickly becoming the default for many businesses and freelancers. It’s an increasingly attractive option for those who only need a small amount of space, need more flexibility, or need to provide space for employees who don’t need access to an office or desk every day. There are many different factors to consider when deciding on whether hot-desking is right for you. This article will help you weigh up the pros and cons and provide you with all the information you need to decide if this way of working is for you and your business.

If you want to learn more about hot-desking, read our guide to hot-desking and coworking.

Pros of Hot-Desking and Coworking

1. Cost Savings: This is one of the biggest benefits. By reducing the need for a one-to-one ratio of desks to employees, companies can cut down on the amount of office space needed. This means lower rent and removes the utility and maintenance costs. Similarly, coworking spaces allow businesses and individuals to access professional workspaces without the high costs of traditional office leases.
2. Encourages Collaboration: Hot-desking removes the physical barriers between employees from different teams or departments. When people aren’t tied to specific desks, they’re more likely to interact with colleagues they wouldn’t usually work with. This can result in more innovative ideas, faster problem-solving, and a stronger company culture. In coworking spaces, the mix of professionals from different industries creates opportunities for networking, partnerships, and shared learning experiences.
3. Flexibility: Employees often appreciate the flexibility that hot-desking and coworking offer. This greater flexibility provides the option to work in different locations or spaces depending on what suits their needs, whether it’s a quiet spot for focused work or a communal table for brainstorming. This kind of autonomy can boost job satisfaction and productivity.
4. Adaptability: As the workforce becomes more mobile with many people working from home, coworking spaces and hot-desking provide the flexibility needed to adapt to these changes. These approaches align with the needs of today’s digital-first workforce, allowing workers to stay productive in various environments.

Cons of Hot-Desking and Coworking

While there are many benefits to hot-desking and coworking, they also come with challenges. Understanding these potential downsides is important for businesses and individuals considering these models.

1. Loss of Personal Space: One of the biggest concerns about hot-desking is the loss of personal space. In traditional offices, employees can personalise their desks with photos, plants, and other items. Hot-desking removes this, which can make some employees feel less connected to their work environment. Similarly, in coworking spaces the temporary nature of the setup might make it hard for individuals to create a sense of belonging.
2. Lack of Privacy: Without an individual private office space, you may feel like you aren’t getting the privacy you otherwise would. Should you need more privacy than coworking allows, we also have private serviced office spaces available here at Shelley Offices in Elstree & Borehamwood. 
3. Lack of Routine: Without assigned desks, it can be hard for employees to establish a routine or feel stable in their work environment. The daily search for a workspace can be time-consuming and stressful, especially if offices have limited desk availability. Shelley Offices have 24 luxury hot-desks allowing plenty of space for all members.
4. Health and Hygiene: When different people use the same desks and equipment every day, cleanliness can become a problem. Shelley Offices workspaces are regularly cleaned and sanitized to prevent the spread of germs, to avoid the concern that has become even more important since the pandemic.
5. Office Politics: The first-come, first-served nature of hot-desking can lead to office politics, where workers might feel pressured to arrive early to get a good spot. This can create an unspoken hierarchy and increase workplace stress. In coworking spaces, competition for the best spots or resources can also arise, though it’s often less of an issue due to the independent nature of most members. Shelley Offices provide plenty of desks and workstations all with the same style, to avoid office politics.

How to decide if hot-desking or coworking is right for you

Now you know the pros and cons, it’s time to make the decision about whether to try hot-desking or coworking.  Here are 5 questions to answer to make that process easier:

1. Collaboration - Does your business require collaborative work? If you have team members who regularly collaborate, then a coworking space would be ideal. This would allow them to be in constant communication without the need for frequently moving in and out of different offices or chasing colleagues for a meeting.
2. Cost savings – What is your budget? Hot-desking can offer you a more budget friendly option if you have a lower budget or maybe aren’t ready to commit to a higher monthly fee for an office yet. We have many flexible options available [link to website: hot-desks page] and you can hire our hot-desks by the hour, day, week or month depending on your needs –the perfect way to try hot-desking out to see if it suits you.
3. Deep focus – Do you or your employees require periods of deep focus to get work done? If you need privacy and a silent environment to focus, then co-working might not suit you. Alternatively, if you prefer some background noise, it could be the perfect choice. At Shelley Offices in Borehamwood we have a private soundproof meeting roooms for those periods when you might need quiet time to focus.
4. Employee feedback & productivity – How do your employees feel about hot-desking? Speak to your employees and find out how they work best. It’s important for them to be comfortable in their workspace to maintain productivity and do their best work.
5. Sensitive information – Do you deal with sensitive information that requires more privacy, or have private phone calls that you need to take regularly? Coworking might not be the best option with the lack of privacy. We will soon be installing a soundproof telephone booth here at Shelley Offices, to provide you with more privacy as and when you need it.

We asked Chelsea Kester, Office Manager at Shelley Offices why they invested and developed such a unique coworking space for their clients. Chelsea said: “We understood that to help create a vibrant, welcoming, unique environment that people would recommend, it was important to encourage both regular coworking users, as well as our shared office clients. We wanted our clients to use the facilities (such as our luxury break out room and pool table), get to know each other and feel extremely comfortable in the environment we have created.”

Whether you’re a business leader considering hot-desking for your company or someone exploring the benefits of coworking, understanding the pros and cons will help you make the most of these modern work environments. As the workplace continues to evolve, hot-desking and coworking will likely remain important in shaping the future of work.

If you think a coworking space could be the right fit for you, contact us now to visit and view our available coworking spaces in Borehamwood.