Restacking Helps Improve Morale and Productivity
April 09, 2015
Have changes in your business resulted in vacant cubicles and space that is no longer used on a regular basis? If the gaps in workspace utilization were caused by a negative event such as a downsizing, the underutilized space serves as a constant reminder to those who remain.
Particularly if you have several years left on your current lease, ‘restacking’ may be a viable alternative that will both improve productivity and raise employee morale. ‘Re-stacking’ in this context involves evaluating and reconfiguring the workspace to fit the new needs and patterns of activity that resulted from the recent changes in the workforce. Doing so offers the opportunity to realign workers and the space they occupy to fit the needs of those that remain.
If you’ve determined that a restacking is needed, create a careful plan that takes the following into consideration.
1) How can we minimize business disruption? In many ways, a restacking is similar to relocation. Each step in the process needs to be analyzed and designed so that workers maintain productive.
2) How can we incorporate flexibility in the new plan to accommodate future changes? As we all know, business conditions change rapidly. Wise planning of the current reconfiguration will allow for five to ten per cent growth or reduction in usage without further disruption.
3) How can the ‘extra’ space be used to enhance morale, productivity and profitability? Perhaps the reconfiguration can be used to create a multipurpose space for collaboration and celebration. The freed up space might be used as a prayer/meditation space (see July 16, 2014). If your landlord agrees, you might be able to sublet the space you no longer need. Explore all the possibilities for getting the most value out of the effort involved in the restacking.
4) What will happen with the office equipment, file cabinets and workstations that are no longer needed? Proper disposal of these items should be part of the plan. Possible options include moving them to another location where they can be put to productive use, selling them, or perhaps donating them to a local charity.
5) How will workplace health and safety considerations be addressed? Communicate with everyone involved in the restacking to prevent health and safety hazards related to the event.
If planned and executed well, a restacking will result in a workspace that more closely fits the needs of your business.
Have you restacked your workspace? Has it made a positive impact on our business?
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