The
decision to relocate your business was probably not an easy
one, and you most likely spent a lot of time researching new areas and scouting
potential buildings. But confirming your move is only part of it - don't forget
about your employees and how your office move will affect them.
Read on
to find out how business moves impact employees and what you can do to ease the
transition.
New office location and commute changes
The biggest change your
employees will have to adjust to is the commute to the new building. If your new
location is in close proximity to your old one, this may not be as big of an
issue as it would be if you were moving across the state, or even across the
country.
When you do secure a new office location, be sure to let your
employees know right away. It will give them some time for the news to settle
in, and allow for proper planning and adjusting. Keep in mind that some of your
employees may have small children, so a change in commute time may have an
impact on their
daycare accommodations.
Parking can also become a big
issue when it comes to commuting - whether you provided free parking or
employees had to pay, what will it be like at the new location? Free parking?
Metered parking? Will your employees need a parking permit?
Address any unresolved office issues
Has there been any tension
building within the office (related to the move or not)? Whatever concerns you
have regarding the camaraderie of your staff, it is best to address any issues
prior to relocation. You wouldn't want to have your employees move to the new
location while at odds with each other, only to have some of them quit due to
these work-related issues.
Keep an open line of communication
Keep your staff updated every
step of the way. Make sure they know exactly what will be happening and when.
You could even go that extra mile and create a calendar of events that each
employee can print out and keep. Alternatively, you can send out mass emails or
post updates on bulletin boards when necessary.
You can also request
employee feedback by leaving a suggestion box somewhere in the office. Employees
can then feel free to write any comments or concerns they have surrounding the
move, and even have the opportunity to remain anonymous if they are not
particularly comfortable voicing an opinion out loud. This will prove that you
value your employees' opinions and make them feel involved.
Be accommodating
During your business move, it is likely you
will have employees that are not used to the traffic patterns in your new
location - so if they show up a few minutes late, forgive and forget (as long as
it doesn't become habitual).
If you are moving your business long
distance, you should give your staff a fair amount of time to decide if they
wish to move with you or find other employment. If they do decide to move with
you, this would be when you should discuss any
potential relocation packages or financial assistance you may
be able to provide.
Get employees involved in the moving process
In addition to
getting feedback from your employees about general move concerns, you can get
them involved by asking their opinion on how the new location should be set
up.
Some aspects to consider:
- Individual employee cubicles (if applicable)
- Break room/common area set up and décor
Location of office equipment such
as copiers, fax machines or printers
Whether your office or business is
relocating locally or long distance, it is also a nice gesture to compile a list
of local points of interest for your employees. Things to include:
- Gym facilities
- Coffee shops
- Restaurants
- Spas
- Gas stations
- Banks
Getting your employees involved in the office move doesn't
have to end with their opinions. Get them physically involved by recruiting them
to do some light packing around the office, like organizing files or
packing up their cubicles.