Are Hot Desks used much?

[Mycroft Holmes]

Like open plan offices hot desk is a dismal failure for developers, we need our own space, our privacy so we can concentrate and quiet so we can listen to our own music rather than the chatter of an open plan office. It IS a good way for a company to save money and it does work for people who are not in the office the majority of their time.

Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH

[PeejayAdams]

Yes, that's a very important point. Speaking as someone who has suffered from chair related issues in the past, I'm somewhat dreading the introduction of hot-desking at our place. Hopefully, it will be a case of people just finding a spot and sticking to it but there are bound to be a few people who want to do the grand tour. I'm also worried about how it will work out with noisy types. I can see it now, walking in of a morning, successfully finding my favoured desk and chair, getting half way through a tricky query only to find Foghorn Leghorn taking his perch next to me. Shuffle off to find a quiet (if back-wrecking) corner somewhere else and "Oh look! It's happened again!" Like all corporate fads, no good will come from it.

Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect. - Mark Twain

[glennPattonWork3]

Hmmm, the overall feeling is no, not a good idea. I have said this, my boss has said this, however management are getting to Dilbert level over this :~

[GenJerDan]

It's great for your immune system, though. You can be exposed to all sorts of different things, which will only strengthen it.

[glennPattonWork3]

Hmmm, there one service desk guy bathes once a year (weather he needs it or not) I'm sure.

[RickZeeland]

And what about "Hot offices", see article here: The farce of the EU travelling circus - Telegraph[^]

[Duncan Edwards Jones]

It is a stupid idea and after a couple of weeks of disruption it settles into a stable equilibrium anyway. (It just means they can save time/money on cleaners)

[GuyThiebaut]

It's a ridiculous idea for a number of reasons not least of which is that you will have your seat adjusted for your own needs.

“That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence.”

― Christopher Hitchens

[GuyThiebaut]

Johnny J. wrote:

I fail to see why ANYBODY would want and appreciate such a system.

Because you are capable of rational thought. One place I worked in, one of the senior managers would change the seating plan the office every three months. This is all she did, she contributed nothing else to the business so I am guessing that the time in between was spent planning for the next seating change :rolleyes:

“That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence.”

― Christopher Hitchens

[dan sh]

I don't get it. At all. I am currently sitting in another office where I do not have a designated seat and it is horrible. Every day it is a task to find an empty desk. My bag looks like I am going trekking because of water bottle and tea mug. Instead of this, I would prefer going to my regular office desk where I can leave water bottle, tea mug, laptop charger, phone charger and a pair of earphones.

[R Giskard Reventlov]

I have a tower, 3 screens and a small laptop, screen risers and various other items as well as a filing draw full of stuff. Not sure how I'd carry all that home and back every day and what happens if I'm late and there are no desks available? Hot desking is fine for workers that are not glued to a screen all day otherwise it's a stupid idea.

Keep your friends close. Keep Kill your enemies closer. The End

[W Balboos GHB]

It's possible, here, where I work since everyone works via a VM. Except, Senior management and much of IT have their own box. So it plays out like this: I get moved, now and then, with cartloads of my essential belongings. Several desktop system, and they need to set me up with two or three network connections (default is one). And then assign me a new static IP. Most of IT is spared this really annoying event. (Just when I get really comforable . . .) Regular employees have fixed locations, which are reassigned almost like musical chairs. For the most part, however, they remain in their assigned seats or, for now-and-then-er's, in the same area so that they may confer.

Ravings en masse^

"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein

"If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010

[Kirill Illenseer]

I guess, it depends on the job. For a pure data clerk, I don't see the problem and viewing the world (the office) from a different perspective every day may be an interesting experience. For a pure software developer, that makes sense as well. The drawer isn't really needed for anything but a couple of pens and some paper, that's easily portable. But for a developer like me, who has roughly 2 kilogramms of hardware on his desk, wired to the computer via several USB connections, moving places is a huge deal. Just like every principle, it may be beneficial, it may be the most horrible idea ever. It depends on the circumstances.

[cptScorcher]

Draws draws!!!??? We don't get those at our hot desks. We call it a 'agile' workplace. I guess thats qicker than saying 'we are too cheap to provide a permanent desk for everyone so its first in best dressed'.

Nomadic office worker

[glennPattonWork3]

'Draws' point where am I going to keep my company jacket & tie?

[Jacquers]

I suppose when I was studying the computer lab was a 'hot desk' - you sat at whichever PC and worked there. I wouldn't really want to do that at work though.

[Chuck OHalloran]

Toe in the spectrum, they are implying the autism spectrum and not adhd.

[Bruce Patin]

At my desk, I have 5 computers, a KVM switch, a tissue box, lotion, two file cabinets full of notes, disks, dress shoes, shirt, tie, backpacks, mug, water bottles, spare mice and keyboards, a rack of books and binders, and my aluminum foil hat. Most can be moved around from one hot desk to another with a half days work, but the aluminum foil hat might get crushed.

[obermd]

When the CEO joins this idiotic movement then I'll think about it. Until then keep your paws off my desk.

[agolddog]

Make sure you get in before the management drone who came up with this. Sit at their desk. Proclaim it to be your 'hot desk' for the day. Repeat until this idiocy goes away.