The distinction from “desk” matters in two places. In space planning, a workstation is a position that can be occupied, so a bench of six is six workstations rather than one desk. In booking, what people reserve is a workstation even when the interface calls it a desk.
Not all workstations are equivalent, which is what catches people out when they are counted as one number. A sit-stand position with two screens, a bench seat with none, and an accessible position with specific clearances are all one workstation on the plan and very different to the person who has to work there. That is why booking systems that let people filter by what a position actually has get used and ones that present an undifferentiated pool do not.
In HybridHero each workstation is a named asset with its own attributes, bookable from a list or the floor plan. See desk booking.
Common questions
Is a workstation the same as a desk?+
In practice they are used interchangeably, but a bench of six is six workstations and one piece of furniture. Space plans count positions, not surfaces.
Why does it matter that workstations differ?+
Because a pool counted as one number hides the fact that only a few positions have the screens, the clearance or the quiet that a given person needs. People book what suits them, or stop booking.
How many workstations does an organisation need?+
Fewer than headcount in any hybrid office, but the ratio depends on peak attendance rather than on total staff. Peak is the figure to size against.