There are two issues here: open-plan offices and hot-desking “pick whatever spot is available”.

While I understand the argument for separate offices, or at least cubicles, I have never worked in such an enivornment. But I am truly shocked that these programmers are being asked to hot-desk.

It's not like journalists or cops or people who only pop into the office unpredictably. On the other hand, programmers do have terrible personal notions how how their monitor(s), keyboards etc should be layed out.

> On the other hand, programmers do have terrible personal notions how how their monitor(s), keyboards etc should be layed out.

Not just programmers, trust me. At our company, most people do not care, but a few of them will notice - and get cranky - if you move their keyboard by just a few millimeters.

A friend of mine used to work for a bank which changed premises, and introduced hot-desking. They only had 80% seats and planned for all staff to work at least one day from home. "I'm a netadmin. I can't work from home to do my job properly" eventually swayed them into giving him a permanent desk.

But hot-desking was still a complete failure, even excluding the personalisation issues. He said that people would arrive at the floor asking 'Is Bob here today?', to which could only be answered 'I don't know, he could be anywhere on the floor. I'd have no idea of where to look for him'.

Some people like open-plan, and some people hate it. But I've never met anyone who liked hot-desking.

Not to mention hot-desking sounds like a fantastic way to spread illness. I would never do it. The guy who is out sick with diphtheria today could have been using the workstation you are currently occupying yesterday. How would you know?

I rather doubt the cleaning crew is taking the time to sterilize keyboard/mice. I know, I'm a bit of a germaphobe.

When I did hot-desking everybody had their own keyboard and mouse that they either brought home with them or locked in a locker every night.

Don't forget about open-back seating, so everybody can see what you're working on.

I don't particularly mind that people see my monitors. If you work in a decent place, no one would care if you read some news once in a while. If someone spends the day idling, then it's noticed anyway.

Once in a while I get a sensitive or confidential email, but that usually happens when the computer is connected to a big screen in a conference room full of people anyway...

I DO mind not finding anywhere to sit, not knowing where people are when I want to talk to them, not having two or three huge monitors to work on, and not having my Model-M to type on...

Personally I do mind, not because of fear someone catches me procrastinating on Hacker News (most people in my company wouldn't even know what it is) - I simply can't focus with other people close behind me. It's a weird kind of stress.

Wait, are you saying there are still companies attempting to hotdesk, "not finding anywhere to sit?"

Yes? A rather large telecom company for example.

I guess there are some stools and tables available somewhere, and technically you can sit on the floor I suppose, but people that are late more or less have to go home again.

They are kind of in a downwards spiral anyway, so maybe it will sort it self out.

I actually like this, since it stops me from procrastinating, as does working in a team.

or rather, what you are browsing.