{"id":8056,"date":"2025-07-29T14:54:50","date_gmt":"2025-07-29T04:54:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fprs.com.au\/?p=8056"},"modified":"2025-07-29T14:54:50","modified_gmt":"2025-07-29T04:54:50","slug":"rethinking-hot-desking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fprs.com.au\/rethinking-hot-desking\/","title":{"rendered":"Rethinking Hot-Desking"},"content":{"rendered":"

What Works, What Doesn\u2019t, and How to Make It Better<\/b><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019ve worked in an office over the past few years, chances are you\u2019ve already experienced hot-desking, where no one has a permanently assigned workstation. It\u2019s increasingly common across Australian workplaces, particularly in open-plan environments. But despite its popularity, many employees are still adjusting to the practice, and there\u2019s plenty of confusion around how to make it work for everyone.<\/p>\n

According to Natasha Hawker, Managing Director of an HR and recruitment consultancy based in Sydney, workplace etiquette hasn\u2019t kept up with the hot-desking trend. And while it may seem like a recent phenomenon, hot-desking has been evolving for some time.<\/p>\n

Where Did It Come From?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Professor Paula Brough, an organisational psychology expert from Griffith University in Brisbane, explains that hot-desking gained momentum as open-plan offices became the norm, and the trend accelerated post-COVID. As hybrid work models became more common, many employers saw hot-desking as a cost-saving solution.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom a business perspective, it allows companies to support flexibility while cutting down on unused desk space and equipment,\u201d Brough says.<\/p>\n

Hawker agrees. \u201cBusinesses are looking for ways to reduce their physical footprint and expenses,\u201d she says. \u201cHot-desking helps them do both.\u201d<\/p>\n

What About Employees?<\/b><\/h2>\n

While hot-desking makes economic sense, it\u2019s not always a smooth experience for workers. Hawker notes that one of the positives is the opportunity to learn from others: \u201cI\u2019ve picked up so much just by sitting next to different colleagues and seeing how they work.\u201d<\/p>\n

Professor Brough adds that how well someone adapts to hot-desking often depends on their personality. Extroverts may thrive in dynamic, shared spaces where spontaneous collaboration sparks creativity. But that\u2019s not the case for everyone.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor some, it strips away the comfort, stability and routine needed to perform at their best,\u201d says Emeline Gaske, National Secretary of the Australian Services Union. She highlights a growing tension between employers pushing for hot-desking and employees craving consistency and control in their environment.<\/p>\n

Making Hot-Desking Work<\/b><\/h2>\n

So what\u2019s the etiquette when you\u2019re shifting desks each day?<\/p>\n

Natasha Hawker offers some practical advice:<\/p>\n