Community work environments foster higher levels of connection, engagement and innovation. With the growth of hybrid and remote roles around the world, more and more people are using shared co-working spaces and one of the most popular ways to do so is through the use of flex desks. The practice has been around for a while, but what is a flex desk?
What is flex desking?
Flex desking — known more commonly as hot desking or desk sharing — is a dynamic system designed for modern professionals who value choice in their work environment, whilst eliminating the concept of assigned seating in the office. This innovative practice has surged in popularity for its ability to blend convenience with flexibility, all while fostering creativity and a sense of community among coworkers.
By not being tied to a specific desk, employees can enjoy a variety of workspaces, reduce company overheads, and most importantly, enhance their networking opportunities within different offices. If you’re drawn to a workspace model that adapts to your needs, fosters collaboration, and optimises resources, a hot desk office could be a perfect fit.
How does a flex office space work?
A flex desk is a short-term shareable desk that employees can use on an ad hoc basis. Companies can rent a flexible hot desk office space and leave open spots for those who want to hop from desk to desk. This system is typically implemented to increase employee innovation, productivity and cross-disciplinary collaboration. The goal is to optimise available workspace as much as possible while also offering people flexibility in how they work, where they work, and who they work with.
In the past, people would race to get the best desk on a first-come, first-serve basis. Now, employees can book available desks either online or when they arrive at private offices or in co-working spaces. If they prefer to come in on multiple days, they can choose to rebook the same spot or switch it up. Businesses have found this to be impactful as it maximises efficiency and lessens property risk by reducing redundant office space.
What is a shared office desk environment like?
In a flexible work space, employees often have access to their own power sockets, wifi connection, and monitors. If they choose a desk in a shared co-working space, they often have various other amenities at their disposal, like soundproof phone rooms, bookable conference rooms, lounges to chat with colleagues, community kitchens filled with snacks and coffee, shared printers, and sometimes a gym. These co-working spaces also give employees the chance to connect with new groups of professionals – people who are both in and out of their company.
Benefits of a flex office
The benefits of hot desking and flex desk arrangements depend on your work style and what you need from your working space.
Self-employed
Consultants, freelancers and entrepreneurs tend to thrive within a flex office space. They can collaborate freely with their small teams or work siloed on their own projects as they please. Flex desks offer these self-employed individuals a cost-effective solution without the commitment of rigid, long-term office leases, allowing them to conveniently pop in and out as needed.
Flex desking not only combats the isolation of working from home by surrounding self-employed individuals with like-minded peers but also ensures they can stay connected across cities. This approach fuels productivity and offers the perks of an office space, wherever work may take them.
Enterprises
Business owners may benefit from a flexible office because they can quickly scale their businesses, hiring new talent and employing remote workers from anywhere. With this flexibility, they alleviate relocation costs and upfront investments. Businesses can enter into monthly agreements for individual workspaces which helps them to establish a presence in important markets without the long-term commitment or financial risks that come with setting up their own office spaces. This also lowers the price of outsourcing office staff and cleaning staff.
Additionally, desk sharing allows national and global businesses to send their employees to work in different cities. Employees can become acquainted with other office locations and grow a stronger connection to their co-workers. Bringing diverse employees together, helps businesses to be more productive, engaged, and innovative.
Is a shared office desk right for you?
A shared desk environment works quite well for teams who enjoy collaboration, community and constant communication, but it isn’t for everyone. For example, employees dealing with highly sensitive information may prefer a more private space or individuals who need excessive alone time for their projects could grow frustrated with the co-working noise.
As an employer, deciding whether shared workspace desks fit your organisation requires 3 critical factors:
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- Employee Adaptability to Change: Flexible desking represents a significant shift from traditional office setups. It’s important to engage in open discussions with your team to gauge their openness and assess whether they view hot desking as a desirable option or not.
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- Lack of Personal Space: One of the trade-offs with desk rental is the absence of a dedicated workspace where employees can personalise their area, so before making any changes, consider the impact this might have on employee satisfaction and productivity.
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- Seating Dynamics: Without assigned seating, employees lose the predictability of sitting next to the same colleagues each day. This can affect teamwork so it’s vital to reflect on whether the seating arrangements foster cross-departmental collaboration or if they would be a potential issue for your team’s work preferences.
By thoughtfully considering these factors along with your company culture, you can better decide if a flex desk membership aligns with your organisation’s operational needs.
The future of flexible work
In the end, weighing up the pros and cons is entirely in your hands. Permanent desk assignments allocate co-workers together, reducing the chance of having conversations with individuals outside of the immediate vicinity. Using a flex desk, on the other hand, can help people move about the office, interact with other co-workers and improve people’s sense of belonging.
Either way, flexible working environments are important to be aware of and potentially implement if they align with your preferences. Exploring this option could open doors to new opportunities for growth whilst fostering fresh avenues for innovation within your business.
At Melbourne Connect Co-Working, our entry Flex Desk package of $450 per month gives users 24/7 access to our co-working space, 15 credits for meeting room usage, and access to all events throughout the wider Melbourne Connect community.
Get in touch to learn more about flex desks and our other flexible working arrangements.