Moving for anyone is like a carefully orchestrated dance. However, for companies, it is much more complex. Sometimes, a business needs to move the entire company, and other times they need to move certain departments or even just one person. There are more issues to worry about and more things that can go wrong.
Therefore, companies must carefully plan a move and prepare for everything – well as much as they can. Moving employees is always stressful. So, to achieve the desired result, which is a smooth and seamless relocation, the company must think about a variety of things. Here are some things to consider:
1. Inventory
It is important to inventory all equipment that will be moving from one location to another. This applies whether one employee is relocating, or an entire department is relocating. Everything needs to be identified and accounted for before and after the move. This should be done in coordination with the employee, management, and IT.
2. Packing
Employees should be involved when packing vital equipment and files. IT can be involved with packing any electronic equipment, so it does not get damaged during the move. Additionally, IT can ensure that all the necessary cables and accessories are packaged with the equipment. Employees should be responsible for personal items and files that they are responsible for on a continual basis.
3. Moving
The company should be responsible for actually moving all the items from each individual desk and office that is being relocated. Employees should not be involved in physically moving anything. This is due, in part, from a liability standpoint. Most of the items being moved do not actually belong to the employee, so they do not have the responsibility to move them.
Furthermore, if the employee gets hurt when they are performing work they have no business doing, it opens the company up to liability.
4. Unpacking
Employees should be involved with letting the moving people know where to place items. IT should be involved to designate where computers and equipment are to be placed. This organization should be done ahead of time, so everyone knows what is going on. This way movers can bring in cabinets and desks and know exactly where to put them. There should be a point person, from the company, in different areas directing the movers where to place items.
5. Reconnect
IT should be heavily involved in this part of the relocation. They are responsible for getting everyone back online. If the whole department moves, it may be more time-consuming, and there may be some downtime. They will have to coordinate with different departments so that vital functions are still online.
If only a few employees are relocating, they may already have access and computers that are up and running. Regardless, the IT department will have to make sure access is granted to the new employees and set up permissions within the system.
Focusing on these areas will help employees understand what is going on. Involving the right departments in each stage of the move is critical to the smooth transition. This will, in turn, create employees who feel confident in their move and their new location. Employees who know what their role is and what to expect are more empowered and therefore more satisfied with a relocation.
