10 Reasons Hot Desking Is Successful in the Workplace

With office workers now accustomed to the comforts and flexibility of working from home, hot desking could be the solution to getting staff back into the office. Corporate giants like Amazon, Dell, and UPS have made headlines by recalling staff into the workplace on a permanent basis. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy stated in a company-wide email that they have “observed that it’s easier for our teammates to learn, model, practice, and strengthen our culture; collaborating, brainstorming, and inventing are simpler and more effective; teaching and learning from one another are more seamless; and, teams tend to be better connected to one another.”

Unsurprisingly, this move was met with resistance from employees—not just at Amazon but across the globe. Many saw this policy as a step backwards in workplace culture, favouring presenteeism over productivity and failing to consider the importance of staff wellbeing, flexibility, and mental health.

This ongoing tug-of-war between employers and employees continues to create tension, but there may be a middle ground. One option that is regaining attention is hot desking. You’ve heard of it before—you might even be doing it now—but hear us out. Done correctly, it might just be the compromise that benefits everyone.

But what does hot desking mean in today’s context?

Put simply, hot desking is a workplace arrangement where desks are used by different people at different times, rather than being assigned to specific individuals. Below, we explore the advantages of hot desking to the employee and the advantages of hot desking to the employer, as well as the potential downsides and how to make it work effectively.

Traditional offices often waste valuable real estate on unused desks. Hot desking allows businesses to maximise the use of their physical area, enabling the design of flexible zones for collaboration, quiet focus, and social interaction. Whether you have a small business or a bigger company, this approach can significantly reduce unused space and improve office layout.

By design, hot desking discourages clutter. With no assigned desk, employees are encouraged to keep their workstations clean, helping to maintain a professional and hygienic environment. This can positively impact mental health and focus, creating a workspace that feels fresh and distraction-free.

Removing physical barriers fosters spontaneous interactions between teams. Creating open-plan areas, equipped with collaboration tools like screens, whiteboards, and even a coffee machine for office, makes it easier for people to brainstorm and innovate together. Does hot desking improve productivity? In the right environment, it absolutely can.

Hot desking is ideal for businesses with hybrid or flexible work policies. It supports staff who work irregular hours or split their time between home and the office, allowing them to simply choose a desk when they come in. This setup accommodates everyone—whether they work full-time or only a few days a week.

Allowing employees to choose where they work each day adds variety to their routine. From light-filled window desks to quiet corners with fresh air, hot desking offers personal choice. This flexibility can be incredibly empowering and motivating.

Without fixed seating, senior leadership may find themselves sitting alongside junior staff. This breaks down perceived hierarchies, making managers more approachable and fostering an inclusive culture.

Changing where you sit can stimulate creativity and reduce monotony. It encourages movement and different interactions—two simple ways to reinvigorate a workday and promote mental health.

With fewer individual desks and storage needs, businesses can cut costs on cleaning, stationery, and overall upkeep. This is especially beneficial for smaller teams looking to scale sustainably.

One often overlooked advantage of hot desking to the employee is the opportunity to interact with colleagues outside of their immediate team. It supports informal networking and strengthens interdepartmental relationships.

Many employees see return-to-office mandates as a step backwards for company culture—and they may have a point. A Deloitte study found that over two-thirds of Gen Z workers would consider quitting if required to work in the office full-time. This highlights just how important flexible working conditions are for attracting and retaining top talent. If these employees choose to join a competitor offering greater flexibility, the impact on your business could be significant. But it’s not just about following workplace trends. From power cuts and floods to epidemics and other crises, businesses that already support remote working are far better equipped to stay resilient. Hot desking is one way to build that flexibility into your infrastructure, creating a modern workplace that’s adaptable and future-ready.

Of course, there are also disadvantages of hot desking. The most common disadvantages of hot desking for employee wellbeing include a lack of personalisation, difficulty finding available desks during busy times, and the potential spread of germs due to shared equipment.

These challenges can be addressed through good design and thoughtful implementation. Use desk booking systems to manage availability, encourage regular cleaning, and provide lockers for personal items. It’s also crucial to involve staff in the process and gather feedback to ensure the policy works for everyone.

So, does hot desking work? The answer depends on how it’s implemented. When designed with flexibility, employee experience, and office culture in mind, hot desking can be a powerful tool for modern businesses. It helps save space, cuts costs, and boosts collaboration—all without sacrificing individual freedom and wellbeing.

Whether your office is small and compact or part of a bigger corporate structure, hot desking could be the bridge between traditional workplace expectations and the new world of flexible, people-centred work. And in that balance, everyone stands to gain.