How an Office Relocation Effects your Staff
What effect will an office move have on your staff? And practical ways to make moving office easier & happier for all involved.
An office relocation is an exciting time for any company. Many businesses consider the prospect of a new environment, facilities, neighbours and communities as a positive and welcome change. But along with all of the office move planning you will have to undertake, make sure that you don't forget the effect the office relocation may have on your staff.
A change in working environment, working practices and even location will be an exciting prospect for staff, but at the same time, change can also be unsettling. Some staff may even be resistant to change, and is important that you manage and handle this to ease the transition and promote the positive messages surrounding your office move at key stages throughout the moving office process.
Some staff concerns may include:
- How they are going to travel to and from the new office
- Journey times
- Nearby public transport
- Local facilities, shops, cafes, sandwich shops
- New office floor plan – where they are going to sit
- Any change in working practices
How (and at what stages) you communicate with your staff about your office move will significantly impact your office move and ensure that any “negative vibes” surrounding your office move are dealt with before they get out of hand. Make your messages about the office move consistent and provide regular updates so that everything, from the reasons behind the move through to the new seating arrangement, is transparent and clear.
To ensure you manage the move for your staff correctly from a legal perspective. Make sure you take advice from a Property Solicitor and use the HR & Employment Law Checklist.
