The Difference Between Flexible Working and Hot Desking

In the current climate much has been made about flexible working and hot desking. But there is a subtle difference between the two. Where hot desking requires members of a company to share desk or move desks on a rota, flexible working is well… more flexible.

What I mean by this is that flexible working can mean working from anywhere, you’re not tied to any specific desk. It could mean working from home, it could mean working in a breakout area at work or even in the local coffee shop. All you need is a laptop and an internet connection and you’re good to go.

Depending on your role and your company structure either style of working can work well for you. If you’re a large business with a large number of employees then hot desking can work well as you will often have people off site, ill or working from home so there will always be spare desks.

Businesses like the Greenhouse, have a great selection of offices and studios to suit any business. We offer luxurious studio space for creatives along with traditional office environments for more traditional companies.

If you’re a smaller company and in a more creative type industry then flexible working could be the way to go. Some people may find their inspiration outdoors, or in a local café whereas you may have a small team that comes up with their best ideas in the breakout area. Different people find inspiration in different ways and in different environments.

There are some caveats, however, if you need peace and quiet in order to concentrate then a permanent quiet space may be necessary. Some people also like to familiarity of their own desk where they can put their own pictures and make it their own personal space.

In some rented office spaces you can rent meeting rooms by the hour or the day where your team, or individual members of it, can enjoy some private space to work quietly without being disturbed. We offer a great selection of meeting rooms across our portfolio of locations and offer very competitive rates. We also have a great café with a range of healthy food options along with discounts for members.

Of course, you can use these rooms to hold group meetings which is what they were originally designed for.

If you’re a solo worker and you’re looking for a creative network then flexible working is perfect for you. This works well for web designers, graphic designers, social media managers and many others. The sharing of space with likeminded people, even if you’re not strictly work colleagues, can be very beneficial. Working in close proximity with other creative people can help stimulate new ideas and thought processes which can lead to inspiration for the people around them. Many companies need constant new ideas and innovations to thrive in today’s ever changing business world.

It remains to be seen what the working environment for many companies post Covid will look like but it seems certain that office life will never be the same again. Whether you are hot desking, renting meeting rooms or using some kind of flexible working regime many businesses will have to adapt to changing times. The next few years could prove very interesting as the business world continues to evolve.

To book a viewing of one of our beautiful studio or office spaces contact our front desk team who’ll be happy to show you around.