The Pros and Cons of an Office Relocation
Office relocation comes with both significant benefits and challenging disruptions.
Businesses that include employees in the office relocation process keep employees excited, engaged, and happy. However, a company that fails to consider how a big move impacts employees’ daily lives may face a workforce disgruntled by its decisions. If you are considering an office move, here are the pros and cons of relocation with some advice on how to manage this change effectively.
Pros: Boost Productivity in a Well-Designed Office Space
Moving into a brand-new office presents your business with a golden opportunity to create a space that enhances overall productivity. Open floor plans, huddle rooms, cubicles, conference spaces, and private offices — there are no limits on how you arrange your new office. First, consider how seating impacts the workday. Choosing the right office setup will significantly impact how employees work and collaborate throughout the day. Proximity to shops, restaurants, and doctors’ offices can also provide conveniences throughout the day, as employees complete occasional errands during break time.
These small perks can cut down on stress and help employees feel refreshed and ready to focus.
Cons: You Can’t Make Everyone Happy
Despite the many benefits of office relocation, there are also challenges involved. Each employee brings different needs and preferences to the table, and each decision means taking another option away. It’s also possible that your business will receive a short-term dip as customers adjust to your new location.
One of the most hotly debated issues is how office relocation impacts employees’ commutes. After all, a location that’s closer to one employee might be further for another. Choosing an office that’s disconnected from public transportation could strand employees without a way to work or even force them to consider getting a new job.
Managers should also follow up with individual employees who will be significantly impacted by the new commute to make sure they feel supported and heard. Be sure to allow extra flexibility as employees adjust to new timing and traffic patterns in the morning.
Finally, remember that the process of office relocation doesn’t end when the final moving van pulls away. Because most companies can’t afford to lease two offices simultaneously, there could be up to a year of remodeling after your staff has settled into place.
Being organized, setting realistic expectations, and inviting feedback from employees will all help your business endure these bumps in the road.
More from Work Webb: Instagram – Twitter – Facebook – The Water Cooler
