When you think about communicating your office relocation plans to employees, you may just concerned about how you are going to announce the office move to your staff, but a good staff communication plan goes far beyond just letting them know about a change in business address. To truly engage employees in the process of change, and in particular, a change in workplace, a good staff communication plan needs to be designed to actively engage employees.
You will want your office relocation to result in positive changes for your staff, and improve working practices and efficiency so that staff can carry out their duties in a more comfortable, efficient and inspiring working environment.
To help achieve this, here are some tips to help you design a good staff communication plan for your office relocation:
1. Review the Key Messages
Apart from the fact that you are relocating the business, what other messages do you want to convey to your staff? Think about how the new office may help grow the business, create a better working environment from which your staff can thrive and how the new office will give a more positive impression to clients and visitors.
2. Methods of Communication
How you choose to communicate the office relocation to staff is also important. Try to use a variety of methods such as intranet, one-to-one meetings, team briefings, notice board and CEO staff newsletter. This gives everyone a chance to ask questions, read up about the new office at their leisure, and get regular updates.
3. Expect Resistence
Some staff may be resistent to change. They’ll be quite happy with their existing working environment, and they may perceive the office relocation as a real upheaval to get used to. This is quite normal, but by providing some nurture and keeping staff interests at heart, it will make the process of change far easier.
4. Get Staff Involved
Getting staff involved will keep morale levels high throughout the move and help them to feel valued and engaged. There are many ways to get staff involved with the office relocation; asking them for feedback about the layout and design of your existing office for some great ideas of how to go about creating your new office design. Getting them involved with "christening" the new meeting rooms and how to make your reception area a welcoming place for visitors.
5. Ease the Transition
It may take time for some staff to adapt to their new environment, so once you have moved in and got your feet under the table, you may want to carry out a review of how they’re settling in and address any snagging issues about the new seating arrangement or their individual workstation.
To help you create a well thought out Staff Communication Plan, read the HR Guide to Moving Office which offers practical tips for a smooth and successful relocation for staff.
