by Brianna Crandall — October 2, 2019 — Most employees say the benefits of office relocation outweigh the challenges, according to a new survey of 503 full-time employees by Washington, DC-based B2B research, ratings, and reviews firm Clutch.
The report notes that businesses typically move office spaces as a result of growth or changing needs, and says leaders should be forthcoming about the progress of the office search to make the transition smooth.
Leslie Saul, owner of Leslie Saul & Associates, stated:
It is important for each organization to put someone in charge of the move who will keep communication open and transparent.
Businesses that are encouraging and communicative about the office relocation can make employees see the move as positive, too.
Office relocation is distracting, so businesses should collect feedback, reduce stress
Distraction is inevitable when a business moves office spaces, and it will take time for employees to adjust to a new space, points out the report.
Two-thirds of employees (67%) say they found office relocation challenging, despite the overall benefits of the move, and 30% said it was a distraction.
As an example, All Star Cleaning Services in Colorado moved from a 1,500-square-foot to a 5,000-square-foot office space last year. Employees now appreciate the larger space but were initially frustrated with the move.
All Star Cleaning Services General Manager Ajia Holiday remarked:
What was supposed to take three weeks ended up [taking] almost three months before we were able to fully move into the remodeled areas. Trying to answer phones and give solid customer service while people are [installing] floor above your head can be a very stressful work environment.
The company lost some employees as a result of the stress from the move. The employees who stayed, however, know the move was necessary for the growing business, according to Holiday.
Businesses moving office spaces should listen to employee feedback and reduce as much stress as possible to minimize challenges, says the report.
Commercial Realtor Michelle Mumoli, CEO of the Mumoli Bush Group, noted:
It’s important that employees feel they have some say in the moving process – location, accessibility, some design input. After all, if your employees are unhappy, you’ll be unhappy.
New office spaces give employees more comfort, space, productivity
Most employees enjoyed new perks when their company moved office spaces, including more comfort and space, according to the report.
The top benefits of office relocation for employees were a more comfortable space (67%), more space to accomplish tasks (61%), a more visually appealing space (50%), and improved productivity (48%).
Samuel Buckner, managing partner at The Tenant Agency, pointed out:
Typically, you get a new and improved workspace [when moving offices].
The report advises businesses that are looking for new office space to find a space that offers new or different amenities to employees, noting that this will build enthusiasm among workers.
Clutch’s 2019 Commercial Real Estate Survey included 503 full-time US employees who moved offices with their current business within the past 10 years. The full report, complete with graphics, is available to read on the Clutch website.
