Recent studies have started to claim the more relaxed open plan format along with the new hot-desking environment is starting to impact the workplace in a negative way and affecting the productivity. The studies claim an open plan format, removing the previous cellular format has meant employees have a lack of time to think, more interruption from colleagues, a lack of quiet places to work and too much noise. 

Larger occupiers, since the recession have more than ever tried to cut costs where possible with the size of the space a major contributor. Occupiers are trying to become as efficient as possible with their space and introduce new ideas to allow for them to take a smaller space, one of these methods is through hot-desking. This allows employees to work from home and connect remotely and only needing to come to the office when absolutely necessary. When they do have to work from the office, hot desks would be set up so they can plug their laptop in and continue their work. Obviously this has positives to it, it allows you to work from home or in another location whilst still able to work from the office if necessary and allowing occupiers to take on less space but has this come at a cost? Is the office environment and camaraderie being affected? Or is this a great way to work and allows more flexibility at a cheaper rent?

Alex Goode from Morgan Pryce believes it is a combination of all of them. The open plan environment can at times become ‘noisy’ and distracting for employees trying to work and the hot-desking element means the camaraderie and environment will be affected as more employees choose to be flexible where they work. However, as an employee of a property agency, communication is vital and being able to know exactly what’s going on with my colleagues and being up to date in the market is vital and therefore the open plan environment is perfect. This is the same with the hot-desking element, it allows employees to go to meetings away from the office and allow employees to work from cafes, homes or so on giving them the flexibility to where they work.

This news was brought to you by Morgan Pryce, a specialist tenant acquisition agent with offices in Oxford Circus and the City. Morgan Pryce specialises in search, negotiation and project management and works exclusively for tenants.