The pandemic has driven the transformation of the world of work. Hybrid work now often includes desk sharing. However, this should not only be a means to an end.
The best of both worlds: since the pandemic, many companies have relied on hybrid working models that combine home office and office work.
Because there are usually fewer jobs on site, this often goes hand in hand with so-called desk sharing.
Instead of sitting down at “your own” desk in the morning, the free workspaces are allocated via a digital booking system.
The fear of the unknown
Although this saves costs, it is not always well received: one’s own job is often associated with a longing for “home” and individuality, says Kerstin Hillbrink, health management consultant at BAD Gesundheitsversicherung und Sicherheitstechnik GmbH in Personalmagazin (issue 04/2022).
Skepticism about desk sharing models is often related to a fear of change and the unknown, especially if a team or company has no experience with it.
Encourage topic-related work
It is therefore important on the one hand that the employees are involved in the development of a suitable concept. In addition, desk sharing should not be introduced as a simple, rigid concept, but should be adapted to individual circumstances, the magazine continues.
The central question is: What can best be done where? With desk sharing, for example, companies should encourage employees to come together in the office for project or topic-related work.
Concentrated silent work, on the other hand, can work better in the home office.
Exchange in the office is definitely desired
A recently published survey by the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering (IAO) among around 1,700 people who work in office or knowledge work shows that employees definitely want hybrid work models.
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According to the survey, employees would like to spend around half of their working hours in the office in the future. The interviewees are primarily concerned with the possibility of collaborating, working together and exchanging ideas with colleagues.
According to the IAO, however, this will require innovative office concepts in the future that offer, for example, places of retreat for focused work, meeting and project rooms as well as open meeting places.
