The 'hot' in hot desking

How we work is, I am regularly reminded, a crucial component of the satisfaction we derive from our occupation.  Whilst it has been a while since I was office based, hot-desking is a reality for many that I am well familiar with.

As is the heat it seems to generate...  The number of office environments that now feature some version of hot-desking is ever increasing, alongside escalating rental values for commercial property.  

What I am struck by is the impact that is, perhaps, less well planned that the layout constellation of the office furniture.  Each week I hear tales which highlight to me the angst experienced by individuals for whom the desking arrangements have simply become too hot.

In a world where we face a great many unknowns each and every hour, I wonder whether the additional stress caused by not knowing on arrival at your place of work where it is that you will be sitting is, at some level, counter productive for most office workers.  

Your environment either fires you up or it keeps you stuck.  

If you do not have an environment that supports and inspires you, 

then it will hold you back from your greatness.  

Rodney Rich

Corporate infrastructure has changed dramatically and continues to evolve rapidly.  Far fewer employees now boast a desk of their own.  Buildings are designed with far fewer desks than people with mobility in mind.  But what is the effect of these working practices on wellbeing across a workforce?

There may be contexts within which hot-desking can work very well but it seems to me that the benefits belong to the employer for the most part.  For problem-solving and creative work, most people do not fare well in isolation:  physical proximity and interaction promote best results.

Hot-desking is a solution only for those who are due to be in the office infrequently or temporarily.  Humans are social beings, and most of us like our own space.  Most of us perform better when we have a sense of control and ownership within our environment.  Beyond this, our desks tend to say something about us.  If we have a canvas on which to make our mark...