Studies have shown that when companies allow their employees to decide when, where and how they want to work, it can result in greater job satisfaction, improved performance and productivity, and better employee retention.

While some companies opt to provide their employees with alternative schedules that afford greater work/life balance, or the ability to work from home either part-time or full-time, not every company has this type of flexibility. As such, engaging employees in deciding that kind of look and feel they want from their workspaces, and giving them an opportunity to share their ideas regarding the features and amenities they need to excel at their jobs, is a great way to help keep them happy and productive.

One of the best times to do this is during an office relocation, or if you are expanding or redesigning your office space. We asked our relocation experts here at King Office Services for their recommendations when it comes to engaging employees in a relocation or office redesign, and here are some of the tips they had to offer:

• 1) Engage early in the process. As soon as you know that your office will be relocating, expanding or redesigning, communicate this information to your employees so that they know what to expect, and can start thinking about what they would like from their new office spaces.
• 2) Assign a project manager. Whether you are relocating your office, expanding or redesigning your current office space, you should always assign a project manager. That person can be the office manager, or someone else on the team who has the time and interest to take on this project. They will serve as the point person for any questions your employees have regarding the relocation, expansion or redesign. They will also be responsible for coordinating and communicating with vendors, suppliers, employees and your management team to ensure the project stays on track, is completed in a timely manner, and meets all of the requirements of your key stakeholders (i.e. employees, management team and owners.)
• 3) Form a committee. Regardless of the size of your company, it is helpful to have a committee to assist with the office relocation, redesign or expansion. Delegating certain tasks such as meeting with office planners or designers, making an inventory of computers and other equipment that needs to be moved, or tagging furniture and fixtures that need to be prepped for liquidation or recycling, can ease the burden for the project manager. To ensure employee involvement across the company, ask for a volunteer committee member from each department.
• 4) Show-and-Tell. Don’t forget that not every single employee will be involved in every aspect of the office relocation, expansion or redesign. After all, you still have a business to run during this transition period. You can keep your employees informed, and provide an opportunity for them to weigh in with their suggestions and comments, by posting photos of the new space, floorplans, color and fabric swatches, etc. in a common area such as a kitchen or conference room. Another great idea is to host “lunch and learns” with your employees to gather feedback on the new office space, or if time is limited, set up a suggestion box that is monitored by the project manager and/or committee.

If you are planning an upcoming office relocation or looking for a safe, clean and secure space to store your office furniture, equipment or fixtures while you expand or redesign your office space, King Office Services is here to help. We offer a broad range of services including moving assistance, space planning, installation, liquidation, recycling and much more! We also specialize in moving law firms, medical offices, professional services firms, laboratories, data centers, libraries, music and film studios, and warehouses. To learn more, call us today at (800) 854-3679. Our experts are standing by!

About King Companies
As an agent of United Van Lines, King Companies has the resources and expertise to be your “go-to” resource for all relocation needs. Whether you are relocating your household, moving an office, or are in need of logistics services, we strive to ensure that your next move will be the best you will ever make. Call us today at 800-854-3679 to learn more.

We hope that you will consider King Companies for your future relocation needs. To learn more about our services, visit is at www.kingcompaniesusa.com. And, don’t forget to connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and Google+ for our latest news and updates!