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Moving offices? Make Sure Your Employees Want to Come with You
Relocating your business or headquarters office doesn’t have to mean losing your valuable team members. In the following insightful guide, we will walk you through practical strategies that you can adopt to help retain your employees during and after a relocation.
In turn, you can ensure business continuity throughout the unsettling relocation period and make sure that you keep employee turnover low. Here are the initial steps to keep in mind when preparing for an office move:
Communicate Well
You should keep your employees in the loop about your relocation plans as much as possible. Transparency is vital in maintaining trust and reducing panic, which might lead to staff leaving. Being upfront about your motivations for moving can put people’s fears to rest.
Involve Your Employees
Involve employees in the relocation process where possible. Give them roles to play or involve them in decision-making. This can make them feel valued and reduce resistance. In turn, you can minimize staff turnover.
Offer Support
Offer support to your employees for relocating their personal lives as well as their professional ones. For instance, you could assist with finding accommodation or schools and give information about local facilities. If you make life easier for your employees, they will likely stay with the company.
Consider Providing Financial Support
Covering relocation expenses is another way to retain your staff. Offering a reasonable reimbursement for costs incurred during personal relocation helps alleviate financial stress on the employees’ side.
Tips for Retraining Your Employees
During relocation, some roles may change slightly due to new circumstances. Provide training in any new areas that are going to be needed by employees in their positions after moving. Retraining your employees ensures they have the necessary skills and knowledge to adapt to their new roles. This helps them feel more confident and capable in their work and shows that you value their growth and development within the company. Additionally, offering training opportunities can significantly boost employee morale and motivation, demonstrating your commitment to their professional success.
In addition to retraining, you must provide ongoing support and guidance to your employees during the relocation process. This can include regular check-ins to address any concerns or challenges they may be facing and provide resources and information to help them navigate their new surroundings. By offering this support, you help ease the transition for your employees and foster a sense of loyalty and commitment to the company.
Furthermore, consider implementing a mentorship program for employees who are relocating. Pairing them with a seasoned employee who has already gone through a similar relocation can provide invaluable guidance and support. This mentor can advise everything from finding the best neighborhoods to networking opportunities in the new location. This helps the relocating employee feel more connected and supported and strengthens the overall sense of community within the company.
Lastly, take into account the power of recognition and appreciation. Relocating can be a challenging and stressful experience, so acknowledging and celebrating your employees’ efforts and resilience can go a long way in boosting morale and fostering a positive work environment. Whether it’s a simple thank you note or a small token of appreciation, showing your employees that their hard work and dedication are valued will encourage them to stay with the company and inspire them to continue giving their best.
In conclusion, supporting your employees during the relocation process is crucial for retaining top talent. By offering assistance with personal matters, providing financial support, retraining employees, and offering ongoing support and recognition, you create an environment where employees feel valued, supported, and motivated to stay with the company. This benefits the individual employees and contributes to the organization’s overall success and growth.
Create a Transition Team
Create a transition team to support employees during the moving phase. This team could offer physical help with packing and moving, provide emotional support, or assist in settling employees into the new workplace location.
Take Safety Precautions
If some employees have reservations about safety in a new location, establish solid security measures at the new site to instill confidence among your workers.
Offer Transitional Perks
Offer temporary perks to encourage retention during the transitional period. These incentives can range from extra vacation days to flexible hours until everyone settles down at the new offices.
Provide Promotion Opportunities
Relocation might open room for career advancements and promotions within your firm. Highlight these opportunities to your staff to maintain their loyalty and commitment to the company amidst all the changes happening.
Hand Out Awards at Work Anniversaries
Recognizing the service of your employees is another practical way to maintain their loyalty, especially after a relocation.
One way to do this is by holding ceremonies where the company hands out corporate awards at work anniversaries. This will serve as an appreciation of your workers’ continued dedication and loyalty despite the recent changes.
The thrill of receiving a corporate award not only boosts morale but also gives employees something tangible to aspire to.
Whether you’re awarding five years of service or applauding excellent performance, these recognitions can make team members feel more valued and less likely to consider leaving your company, even after a significant move.
Create a Comfortable Work Environment
Whether you are moving to a smaller office or a gigantic building, it is paramount that your new work environment should be comfortable and stimulating for your staff. A cozy space increases job satisfaction, contributing to employee loyalty.
Invest in quality seating arrangements, ensure suitable room temperatures, and maintain clean facilities. Also, consider incorporating spaces for relaxation and unwinding so employees can recharge during breaks.
A well-designed workspace can make everyone feel welcome and valued.
Provide Employee Counseling Services
Lastly, relocation could bring some team members emotional and psychological challenges.
Providing access to counseling services may be an essential step toward ensuring the well-being of your employees during this disruptive phase.
Employees experiencing stress or difficulty adapting might find talking to a professional helpful as they cope with changes professionally and personally.
Offering these services demonstrates that you prioritize employee well-being, which can encourage them to stay with the company during and after relocation.
Remember, happy employees produce better results compared to those under immense stress. When happy employees work for your company, you can ensure high retention rates.
Corporate Moves by GMS
Securing employee loyalty during a business relocation demands thoughtful strategies. Implementing the above-suggested approaches can lower staff turnover and ensure minimal disruption to your operations.
Remember: the key is proactively supporting your employees, acknowledging their efforts, and involving them in the process. Your team is an invaluable asset. So, ensure your employees know it during the transition stage and beyond.
And for more information on getting your office moved from point A to point B seamlessly, consider reaching out to Global Mobility Solutions (GMS) today. Our expert team of corporate relocation specialists is here to assist you in having a successful office move for your business.
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Kimberly Chacon
I’m Kimberly Chacon. I am the senior business development manager at GMS. I have been with GMS for five-plus years and have six years of relocation experience. I am a relocation specialist who loves assisting clients in creating comprehensive employee relocation policies. I am CRP certified and understand first-hand that not all companies have the exact needs when it comes to relocation needs, which is why I am here to be the first in line to listen to your wants and needs and then help you create the best relocation package for your employees.
