Shared workstations (2024)

FAQs

What are the problems with desk sharing? ›

Desk sharing can potentially create problems between employees. Sharing desks may lead to disputes over space, cleanliness, and varying work habits. Additionally, the need for a dedicated personal space can impact concentration and productivity for specific individuals.

Shared desk, or desk sharing, is a method of workplace arrangement where one workstation is no longer assigned to a fixed employee, but shared by a team or the entire organization. Like the concept of “Hot Desking”, shared desk encourages teams to work where they can be most productive.

Additionally, the concept of shared workspace extends beyond the physical — space where diverse individuals gather — into the realm of a community based on mutual trust, common values, and the synergy that comes from working alongside other like-minded professionals.

If the office space is designed with banks of workstations with people sitting back to back, then the recommended gap between desks is a minimum of 2000mm, and if possible, as much as 2200 or 2400mm.

Desk jobs, in particular, are a main driver of sedentary behavior. The nature of desk-bound work encourages long periods of inactivity. Employees with desk jobs often experience higher rates of obesity, elevated cholesterol levels, and increased blood pressure, all warning signs of potential heart disease.

Hot desking: A system where employees can use any available desk or workstation on a first-come, first-served basis. Desk sharing: A system where employees are assigned a specific desk or workstation, but it can be shared with others when not in use.

Having adjustable heights allows each user to customize the desk to their own needs and preferences, ensuring that everyone can find the right fit. This also helps avoid any strain caused by having to reach too high or too low for items on the desk.

If you're engaged in professional work that demands high computing power, advanced graphics, or extensive multitasking, a workstation would be the better choice.

Workplaces are fixed; workspaces are fluid

In addition to desks and boardrooms, workplaces contain lobbies, communal dining areas, and amenities like gyms or game rooms. Workplaces focus on the total employee experience and shape corporate culture. In contrast, the workspace is the modern equivalent of the workstation.

Cost savings: Shared office spaces often provide more cost-effective solutions than traditional office leases, allowing you to save money on rent and utilities. Flexibility: Shared office spaces typically offer flexible lease terms, allowing you to easily scale up or down as your business needs change.

What is a name for a shared workspace? ›

What Is Another Name for a Coworking Space? Other names for a coworking space include “shared workspace,” “flexible office,” “shared office,” “flexible workspace,” and “serviced office space.”

Having worked with thousands of coworking space owners, we can safely say that, yes, coworking spaces are a profitable business.

The theoretical minimum number of workstations is the total task-duration time (the time it takes to make the product) divided by the cycle time.

Obesity, fatigue, tension, and stress are also more likely to occur with a sedentary desk job. Metabolism can also be affected by extended periods of sitting, leading to issues such as insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.

It's not surprising to learn that having a disorganised, cluttered desk leads to decreased productivity (both for the guilty party and their colleagues), increased workload, and lots of wasted time.