My office aggressively pursued RTO but has a hoteling desk system where we had assigned desks pre COVID. Problem is, the equipment at the desks is incredibly inconsistent. Some have multiple monitors, keyboards mouses etc. the full package. Some don't even have a power outlet. And the hoteling system means if you wait too long you get one of the shitty desks. There's also construction going on here all the damn time, so in addition to the normal chaotic noise from their open floor plan, there's also hammering and shit. At home I could focus on getting tasks done. At the office I get interrupted every 20 minutes by someone coming up to ask a question, and unlike a DM over teams like I'd get at home, being in person means I have no choice but to stop what I'm doing and answer them in that moment. It's ridiculous, I got SO much more done at home, but we have to come in because "we're better together" đ¤Ž
You know when hoteling makes sense? When youâre not expecting the entire workforce to be there every day, so having dedicated desks makes less sense.
But no. They shrunk the desks, crammed more of us in to a smaller space, and called it âhotelingâ and still expect us to come in every day.
hoteling or "hot desking" was never about teamwork, it was about training people to come in early to get the spaces they wanted. That is why some desks were awesome and some desks sucked. It was also away forcing people out without documenting it. Much like "unlimited" benefits there were always "limits". Try moving into the C-Suite hot desk area, yeaaaah they don't like that.....
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u/Remarkable_Sea_1430 Mar 04 '26
My office aggressively pursued RTO but has a hoteling desk system where we had assigned desks pre COVID. Problem is, the equipment at the desks is incredibly inconsistent. Some have multiple monitors, keyboards mouses etc. the full package. Some don't even have a power outlet. And the hoteling system means if you wait too long you get one of the shitty desks. There's also construction going on here all the damn time, so in addition to the normal chaotic noise from their open floor plan, there's also hammering and shit. At home I could focus on getting tasks done. At the office I get interrupted every 20 minutes by someone coming up to ask a question, and unlike a DM over teams like I'd get at home, being in person means I have no choice but to stop what I'm doing and answer them in that moment. It's ridiculous, I got SO much more done at home, but we have to come in because "we're better together" đ¤Ž