Hot Desking 2.0: The Next Generation of Flexible Working at The Square

As more people have been branching out into entrepreneurship, freelancing, and remote working, hot desking has become a hot topic when it comes to work. We’ve all been adapting to the new normal; a revolution that really took off after the pandemic. We soon found that many jobs could be done remotely and there was no need for the traditional office setup. Rather than looking to rent office space in the classic sense, people are now seeking a more flexible way to work, one where they do not lose out on the social aspect of an office but still have the freedom to work on their own terms.

Hot desking is a flexible desk arrangement, where employees are not assigned desks. The term originates from 'hot racking', a strategy the US Navy used on their ships where space was limited - they would take turns in bunks in shifts, which remain ‘hot’ from the previous occupants. It started to become popular in the 1990s to save space and reduce costs when real estate costs started to become expensive and grew to incorporate shared technology.

When looking to rent office space, the costs involved can be high and out of reach for some companies. Whether you’re starting out or already established, hot desking means less space is needed to accommodate employees when the office is optimized for desk sharing.

However, that’s not the only benefit. A hot desk can empower flexibility for employees - a big draw in the post-pandemic working world. Everyone has their own work preferences, with some enjoying a hybrid model, while others opting to be office-based every day. Taking away formalized structures and introducing hot desking allows your team to decide what’s best for their productivity. Indeed, in a recent report by Jabra about redesigning their work practices for the hybrid era, they revealed that their staff unanimously stated that autonomy gave them a better work experience.

With all types of office setups such as a hot desk, there are limitations. According to Harvard Business Review, your surroundings can have a big impact on your work life, with elements such as social interaction, surrounding sensorial factors, temporal markers, and functional attributes, influencing your comfort and productivity.

For some, having a space that they can personalize and make their own is incredibly important, providing a sense of security and belonging. Carrying all the items you need for work can feel reminiscent of being in high school or college, where you crammed all your books and tools into your backpack and toted them around all day! Meanwhile, others like to express their sense of self in their workplace. Plants, photos from home, colorful pillows, and cute calendars all add touches of character to an otherwise neutral space.

Noise can also be an issue when hot desking. For those who need silence to concentrate, the hustle and bustle of a shared office where different teams are in at different times can be distracting. Fortunately, at The Square, we have focus rooms to combat this.

Organization is also a concern. While there are employees who don’t mind a pile of papers on their desks, many prefer a tidy, ordered area to work in. With a hot desk, the space is essentially communal, so you have no control over whether there are cookie crumbs or coffee rings left by the previous person.

We’re not hot desking, we’re the evolution of it. At our locations, we cultivate an atmosphere of fun, connection, and comfort in our stylishly decorated spaces. With our coworking membership, you get a desk in a secure office with a small number of peers and use of our amenities, including focus rooms, coffee and snacks, happy hours, and meeting and conference rooms. If you upgrade to a dedicated desk membership, you will have your own desk so you can pop your belongings there knowing that they’ll be right where you need them and personalize your area to your own tastes. Our sole purpose is not merely just a functional space to get your tasks done but to nurture your work and well-being needs with our services, amenities, and ambiance.

• On-site team for coordination and set-up
• TV screen with HDMI TV projection
• Teleconferencing and video conferencing capabilities
• Dry erase boards and glass walls for writing space
• Cafe and lounge amenities, coffee snacks and beverages
• Catering available upon request

Rent office space at The Square in Houston, TX, Salt Lake City, UT, Mexico City, and Washington DC:

• Houston - Texas Tower
• Houston - 717 Texas
• Salt Lake City - The Kearns Building
• Mexico City - Neuchatel
• Washington DC - Bowen Building