hot desking
hot desking
Pronunciation
hot desking
/ˈhɒt ˌdɛskɪŋ/
hot: /hɒt/
/h/ - voiceless glottal fricative
/ɒ/ - open-mid back rounded vowel
/t/ - voiceless alveolar plosive
desk-ing: /ˌdɛskɪŋ/
/d/ - voiced alveolar plosive
/ɛ/ - open-mid front unrounded vowel
/s/ - voiceless alveolar fricative
/k/ - voiceless velar plosive
/ɪ/ - near-close near-front unrounded vowel
/ŋ/ - voiced velar nasal
Word Form Variations
Noun:
Singular: hot desk, hot desking
Plural: hot desks
Verb (from "hot-desk"):
Base form: hot-desk
Present participle: hot-desking
Past tense: hot-desked
Past participle: hot-desked
Third-person singular present: hot-desks
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Hot desking
A workspace strategy where multiple workers use a single physical workstation or desk at different times, often on a first-come, first-served basis, rather than having a dedicated desk for each individual. This practice is typically implemented in offices to maximize space utilization and reduce real estate costs.
Synonyms: desk sharing, free addressing, agile working (in this context)
Antonyms: dedicated desks, fixed seating, personal workstations
The system or arrangement in an office that facilitates the practice of hot desking, including the technology and organizational principles required for its effective implementation.
Synonyms: flexible seating system, shared office model
Antonyms: traditional office setup, permanent desk assignment
Hot desk
A single, non-assigned desk or workstation available for temporary use by any employee within a hot desking system.
Synonyms: shared desk, temporary workstation, flexible desk
Antonyms: private desk, personal workstation, dedicated desk
Verb
To hot-desk (often hyphenated when used as a verb)
To participate in a hot desking system; to use a shared, non-assigned desk or workstation in an office on a temporary or as-needed basis.
Synonyms: desk-share, work flexibly, utilize shared workspaces
Antonyms: have a dedicated desk, work from a fixed station, occupy a permanent desk
Adjective
Hot-desking (used to describe a system or environment)
Relating to or characteristic of a hot desking arrangement; involving the sharing of desks rather than individual assignments.
Synonyms: flexible-seating, shared-desk, agile-workspace
Antonyms: traditional-office, fixed-desk, assigned-seating
Examples of Use
Newspapers: "Many companies are embracing hot desking as a way to reduce office footprint and encourage collaboration among employees, particularly in post-pandemic work models." (The Guardian, June 2023)
Online Publications: "Our recent survey revealed that while hot desking can offer flexibility, some employees express concerns about finding a consistent workspace and maintaining personal effects." (Forbes.com, October 2024)
Books: In the business management book The Agile Organization, the author discusses hot desking as a key component of modern flexible work environments, emphasizing its benefits for optimizing space.
Entertainment Mediums (TV Show Dialogue): "I hate this new office setup. With all the hot desking, I never know where I'm going to end up, and someone always leaves crumbs on my 'temporary' keyboard!" (From a fictional sitcom, Office Antics, Season 3, Episode 7)
General Public Discourse (Online Forum/Social Media): "Anyone else dealing with a sudden shift to hot desking at their company? What are your tips for making it work, or are you just counting down to hybrid work?" (Reddit r/workplace, November 2024)
Business Website/Blog: "Implementing successful hot desking requires careful planning, including robust booking systems and clear communication about shared space etiquette." (WeWork Blog, January 2025)
Podcast (Interview Segment): "We had a fascinating discussion with a facilities manager last week about the rise of hot desking and how it's reshaping traditional office design." (NPR's Workplace Reimagined podcast, July 2023)
10 Famous Quotes Using Hot Desking
"The rise of hot desking is intrinsically linked to the evolution of flexible working arrangements and the desire for spatial efficiency." (Unnamed business analyst, describing the trend)
"While hot desking offers cost savings, the true measure of its success lies in fostering collaboration, not hindering it." (From a report on modern office design, May 2025)
"Many companies are embracing hot desking as a way to reduce office footprint and encourage collaboration among employees." (The Guardian, June 2023)
"Successful hot desking requires more than just removing assigned desks; it demands a cultural shift towards shared responsibility." (Workplace strategy consultant, 2024)
"For some, hot desking is liberation from the mundane; for others, it's a daily quest for a suitable workstation." (Original quote reflecting employee sentiment)
"The biggest challenge with hot desking isn't the technology, but human resistance to change and the loss of personal territory." (HR Manager, discussing implementation)
"We've seen a clear correlation between effective hot desking implementation and increased cross-departmental interaction." (Office space management firm spokesperson, 2023)
"Hot desking is becoming a new mantra as companies try to get their employees back to work." (QuickFMS, October 2020)
"The ideal approach to hot desking balances corporate efficiency with employee comfort and a sense of belonging." (Workplace well-being advocate, 2025)
"In a world moving towards hybrid models, hot desking is not just a trend, but a necessary adaptation for many organizations." (Business First, January 2016)
Etymology
The word "hot desking" is quite a recent addition to the English language, reflecting changes in how we work. Its origins are generally believed to come from a much older naval practice:
The core idea behind "hot desking" is sharing. It's thought to be directly inspired by the military term "hot racking" (also sometimes called "hot bunking" or "hot bedding"). In the navy, especially on submarines where space is extremely limited, sailors on different shifts would share the same bunk beds. As one sailor finished their shift and got out of the bunk, another sailor starting their shift would immediately get in, meaning the bunk was still "hot" from the previous occupant's body heat. This system maximized the use of very limited sleeping space.
In the business world, this concept was adapted to office desks. The first known uses of the noun "hot desking" appeared in the early 1990s, with the Oxford English Dictionary citing evidence from as early as 1991 in the Sunday Times (London). The meaning was essentially the same as it is today: the practice of several people sharing a desk or workstation at different times, rather than each person having their own permanent spot. This was driven by a desire to save office space and resources, especially as more people started working remotely or had flexible schedules.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Hot Desking
Embracing hot desking: To readily adopt or implement a hot desking system.
Navigating hot desking: The process of adapting to and managing the challenges or procedures associated with a hot desking environment.
Hot desking headaches: Problems or frustrations encountered due to a hot desking setup (e.g., not finding a suitable desk, lack of personal space).
The hot desking scramble: The rush or competition among employees to secure a desirable desk in a hot desking office, especially at the start of the day.
A hot desking solution: A strategy or technology implemented to make hot desking more efficient or effective.
Beyond hot desking: Exploring workplace models that go further than simple desk sharing, perhaps into fully agile or activity-based working.
The dark side of hot desking: The negative aspects or disadvantages of a hot desking policy.
"Playing musical chairs with desks": An informal, slightly humorous way to describe hot desking, highlighting the constant movement and lack of a fixed spot. (This is an idiom using a synonym for the "shared" aspect of hot desking).
"Desk nomadic": Someone who regularly engages in hot desking, constantly moving between different workstations. (An original descriptive phrase).
"Desk lottery": Referring to the unpredictable nature of finding a suitable desk in a hot desking environment, implying chance is involved. (An original descriptive phrase).
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of hot desking from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
