As companies keep an eye on ever-changing guidance from the CDC and local city and state officials, they’re tasked with determining their immediate and long-term plans for returning to the office. While some organizations may choose to remain fully remote, others may mandate that all employees return back to the office full-time. Many organizations, however, fall somewhere in the middle and have adopted a hybrid model, whether in the short-term or permanently, that combines remote work and office collaboration.
The rise of hot desking
For those employees that do venture back into the office, however, the environment may look much different than it did pre-pandemic. Several companies are introducing schedules in which employees rotate in and out of the office part-time – whether because of a new, downsized office space or simply to ensure people are able to maintain a safe distance while working. Corporations are also implementing hot desking, also known as hoteling, which is a working arrangement wherein office seating is unassigned and employees don’t receive exclusive access to a single desk. Hot desking not only provides companies with increased flexibility in managing office space, but is also a strategy that aims to achieve a more flexible, hybrid work environment.
Workstations are not one-size-fits-all
Hot desking presents unique challenges for company culture and can also have potential implications on the comfort, health, and productivity of employees. An employee’s workstation can have a tremendous impact on his or her physical health, and many employers are unfortunately not doing enough to ensure their workforce is provided with the proper workstation tools.
Effective tools to promote employee productivity and efficiency – regardless of office setting – include, but are not limited to: a height adjustable workstation, a second desktop display and monitor arm for the display, and an ergonomically sound office chair. A height adjustable workstation is particularly critical in a hoteling office environment because the desk occupant can vary greatly from day to day; a six-foot-tall male employee may sit at the desk one day, followed by a five-foot-tall female employee the following day. Though throughout the pandemic home office setups have been blamed for head, neck, shoulder, and back pain linked to economically unsound office setups, sharing desks may also be bad news for employees’ physical well-being if not made a priority.
Empowering employees with the right tools
Leveraging StanData, employees have the power to quickly and efficiently establish an office environment that meets their unique needs while also mitigating potential injury or discomfort, reducing sedentary employee behavior, and keeping employees healthy and engaged.
Regardless of office setup – whether assigned desks or hot desking, remote, hybrid, or in the office – organizations need to prioritize investing in their employees’ physical and mental well-being. StanData helps employers do just that. What we offer goes beyond a simple height-adjustable workstation; in fact, it’s a powerful wellness tool that improves employee health, engagement, productivity, and performance. Just a few of StanData’s benefits include:
- For users: track desk usage, create plans to transition from sitting to standing to ensure the optimal duration in each position, and receive transition reminders through computer web browser or mobile device.
- For employers: access to reporting on employee performance, usage, and engagement levels to evaluate progress at both the individual and group level.
To learn more about StanData, request a demo.
If you’re interested in continuing the conversation around hybrid work amongst a network of other HR and business professionals, join the free HybridWorkHub. We hope to see you there!