THOUSANDS OF UK workers are being forced to íhot-deskí as businesses try to reduce overheads, but recruitment experts say the practice can lead to an unhappy workforce.
íHot-deskingí is where workers do not have their own desk but are allocated space according to their needs on a particular day.
The rise in the popularity of laptops and wireless internet connection has fuelled the growth of hot-desking.
However, Jonny Cainer at marketing recruitment agency, Marketing Professionals UK, warns the trend can lead to an unproductive workforce:
Hot-desking has become very popular in recent years in both the public and private sector. Businesses in city centres have to pay huge premiums for state of the art offices in prime locations and often find that a number of desks are always empty when staff are out visiting clients. It makes sense for them to be allocated a desk when they touch base at the office.
However, Iíve found that staff resent not knowing who theyíll be sitting next to from one day to the next. It doesnít help to create a team spirit or corporate culture and makes many employees feel isolated and under-valued. This can lead to staff becoming de-motivated.
Nobody wants to have to lug all their possessions to a different desk each day. Although hot-desking cuts costs in the short term, it can have a negative effect on staff morale. Itís certainly not the answer for all businesses
Hot-desking is most common in call centres and financial services which run 24 x 7 on shifts. British Airways, Easyjet and IBM have taken up the practice in recent years.
Hot Desking leaves workers cold
THOUSANDS OF UK workers are being forced to íhot-deskí as businesses try to reduce overheads, but recruitment experts say the practice can lead to an unhappy workforce
