Moving offices during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Is it a good idea?

Is it a good idea to move offices during the COVID-19 pandemic? How about the 2nd and 3rd wave? Read on to find out more.

Introduction

COVID-19 has had profound changes to the way we live and work. Majority of the businesses had their staff work from home and many businesses are now releasing the benefits of their staff working remotely from home. With many companies realising the benefits of their staff working from home, companies are shifting towards moving into smaller offices.

It has been expected that COVID-19 will linger around anywhere between 2-3 years. A second wave has already started in Victoria and the third wave is almost expected. Spanish flu, for instance, had a much greater impact on human lives with its second and third wave in comparison to the initial outbreak. It would seem unlikely that the threat of COVID-19 will disappear into thin air any time soon. Rather it would be more realistic and beneficial to be aware of the dormant threats and taking precautionary steps to ensure your move during COVID-19 is safe for your staff and also the team of movers you are hiring.

If you’re wondering if it is safe to move during. The answer is “Yes,” and “No.” “it depends on whether you, your staff and your removalist team are educated on how to keep everyone safe to minimise the risk of spread of the virus.

About the virus

“COVID-19 is a highly infectious respiratory illness. The virus can spread from person to person, but it is possible to prevent infection of the virus through good hygiene. Some of the symptoms include fever, sore throat, shortness of breath and fatigue.” Australian Government Department of Health

Currently, there is no cure or vaccine. Over the world, it shows a similar pattern. It is more likely to cause death to the aged and those with existing conditions. To keep those most vulnerable in our society, it’s important that we all take precautionary measures to insure the virus does not spread.

Can it be safe to move during COVID-19 pandemic?

The answer is “Yes,” and “No.” “it depends on whether you, your staff and your removalist team are educated on how to keep everyone safe to minimise the risk of spread of the virus.

Benefits of moving offices during COVID-19 outbreak

COVID-19 has presented all businesses with a new range of challenges. As a result, businesses have evolved. Many businesses now realise that their large offices are unnecessary. Businesses are realising that downsizing or relocating/downsizing to a more relevant location can greatly reduce the upkeep cost of offices while keeping the productivity level on par. There are certainly many benefits to relocating your office during COVID-19 outbreak.

Keep your operations running, without disruptions

It can be a task and a half to move an entire office when all your staff is present, wanting to carry out their daily tasks. You can somewhat compromise on your office staff functionalities at the cost of relocation. Another option is to halt your operations and your office functionalities while relocating to a new office. Neither options are great picks to good management. Loss of productivity and stress will prove to be too costly. However, with COVID-19, working from home for many staff has become a norm. If your business has survived the initial challenges, then now you have a significant part of your team can now work from home and provide their functionalities without being present at the office. You have fewer people at the office, your removalists will take less time moving your furniture. Disruption to your operations will be minimal.

Fewer people, less hassle

When your staff are not at work, your removalists are able to work faster. Moving that furniture faster doesn’t just help your removalists, but it can also save you on bills. This is particularly true when you hire a professional removalist company who charges by the minute! (Easy Peasy Removals charge by the minute after the minimal hours)

Less stress

Under normal circumstances moving and relocating offices can sometimes be highly stressful to your staff. COVID-19 has proven that many businesses can operate with people working from home. Offices can now better organise staff to work from home during the relocation to save staff from stress. The last thing you want as a director or the owner of a business is the loss of productivity.

What steps are Easy Peasy Removals taking to ensure the safety of staff and customers?

Relocating during COVID-19 can create its own unique set of challenges. Easy Peasy Removals realise the role it must play to ensure the safe relocation of offices. Easy Peasy Removals aims to

1. Provide vital information
2. Practice all government recommendations
3. Zero contact services

Providing vital information

If you’re reading this, then we’ve already succeeded. For our staff’s safety and yours, it’s critical that all parties involved understand the general knowledge and how to protect one another.

We practice and adhere to all government recommendations

Social distancing

Our team members adhere to social distancing restrictions attending jobs and at offices.

Facial Masks

Our team members all wear facial masks attending jobs. We are making our best efforts to ensure the safety of our clients and our staff. Masks can be effective in both inward and outward protection.

 

Maintain excellent hygiene level

Our team members are each equipped with hand sanitizers. We attend each job with clean hands by applying sanitizer at the start and completion of each job.

Zero contact services

Easy Peasy Removals have successfully introduced zero contact moving, delivery and transport services. Each of these services provides the same great level of removalist services while ensuring that there zero (or in some cases minimal level) contact.

What can your business do to ensure the safety of your staff during and after your relocation?

Minimise the number of people present during the move.

Work out the minimal number of staff required to assist with the relocation. Work out and form a relation committee, compartmentalise and delegate tasks. Our team members adhere to social distancing rules – if a room or an area is overcrowded, our team members are unable to enter the area until the area is less crowded. Having a clear understanding of which office staff is taking which task in which area ensures that there is a reduced chance of having an area being overcrowded.

Prepare a ‘self-isolation room’

Allocate an area or a room to isolate your office staff can stay during the move. Movers will not enter the self-isolation room. This minimises unnecessary contacts between office staff and movers.

Protect yourself at all times

Prepare hand sanitizers and masks for your staff as required. Maintain hygiene by washing hands with soap and water. Ensure social distancing is being practised at all times. Avoid any unnecessary contacts with furniture and boxes.

Preparing for 2nd and 3rd wave

COVID-19 outbreak has changed the way we live, and work. The chances of 2nd and 3rd waves being likely (already has begun in Melbourne/Victoria), we should practice caution and perhaps get used to the new way of doing things. At the end of the day, being cautious and paying extra care can only help. Australia definitely looks like it has defeated the initial outbreak. However, the impact of 2nd and 3rd waves remains to be seen once international flights continue. It appears that the coronavirus will linger around for longer than we have first anticipated.