4 tips for downsizing your business’s office space

Aug 12, 2021

Downsizing is all the rage at the moment. The rise of remote working has shown that many employees simply don’t need to be on site to perform their tasks effectively. In addition, technology makes working from home even simpler, so there’s never been a better time to downsize your offices and cut costs.

#1 Understand who needs the office

Remote work has certainly made it easier for staff to operate from home, but it’s important not to get carried away. At least some employees will still need access to the office, others will need to drop in from time to time, and you’ll likely still require a base from which to offer in-person support. Critically analyze who can work from home fully and who needs to be in the office. You’ll probably identify quite a few people who fall between those two poles, so be realistic in accommodating their needs. Having to upsize again in the future represents a costly reversal and one that can be avoided by being careful now.

#2 Consider safety and privacy

Although it can be tempting to save on rent by going as small as possible, this should be avoided if it compromises safety. Now more than ever, in the world of Covid-19, employees need space and good ventilation. Cramped offices are hazardous for other reasons, too, including trips and falls. They could even be dangerous in the event of an emergency. Privacy is another thing to consider. Employees need their own space, even if it’s just a desk in a well-defined area that separates them from the rest of the workforce. When it comes to restroom space, by OSHA rules any business with 16-36 employees must have two toilets. To be as space-efficient as you can think about using restroom partitions. That way each employee will have a certain amount of privacy, and you’ll be sure to follow all the rules and regulations. Partitions came a long way from those gas station restrooms in horror movies, now there are many different designs and materials that you can use as you can see at onepointpartitions.com. Take these things into consideration when you make your calculations.

#3 Make savings elsewhere

Downsizing is only the start of a cost-cutting campaign. A smaller office with much of the workforce operating remotely means that your energy and water needs have changed, sometimes quite dramatically. You should immediately seek out better gas and electricity tariffs and then move onto the water. A comparison service like Business Water Quotes enables you to find the cheapest water supplier for your business. You’ll be able to compare quotes, services and even undertake a water audit. Savings in this area are incredibly important. Businesses that downsize but neglect their utilities waste both energy and money.

#4 Let staff know that they’re valued

Downsizing might be a stressful time for you, but it’s even worse for employees. Any big shakeup of the business model inevitably raises concerns over redundancies, which are even starker in the current economic climate. Nip fears in the bud early. Reassure employees that they’revalued and that their jobs aren’t under threat. Use this moment to offer any retraining, and make sure that everybody is familiar with how remote working will function. That might mean hosting group sessions exploring video conferencing software or just letting employees know the new business’s shape. If you’re operating a hybrid model whereby the office remains accessible, make this clear and explain how the new system will function.