In hot-desking arrangements, how do you work out the appropriate number of desks to people?
All kinds of ratios are achieved by flexible work implementations. A recent headlining case study from the DTI says that in their London HQ they have achieved a ratio of 8 desks to 10 staff. Many organisations achieve far more radical space savings, with up to 1 desk for every 2 employees. The key is understanding two things: 1) current space utilisation through a space audit, and 2) work styles and how these can be adapted through more flexible working. This can give you a measurable base for understanding how much space is needed for average utilisation and for peak times. One needs also to re-think what one means by asking “how many desks?” The question itself is rooted in old ways of looking at offices. People need space to work, and not just “desks” – and seated in serried ranks of workstations is not the appropriate layout for many types of work that take place in the office. The questions should be, “How do we organise space best to suit the range of tasks and to meet demand?” T
