As a business owner, if you’re pondering on having your employees assist in the move to a new office, it’s essential to weigh the potential hazards. Hiring professional movers is a safer option, avoiding the following risks associated with using employees for the move.
Higher Risk of Employee Injury
The occurrence of employee injury constitutes a significant concern in the context of office relocation. While utilizing employees to aid in the move is not deemed safe, if determined to proceed, it is imperative to enforce adherence to established safe moving protocols to reduce the likelihood of injury.
Some of the potential challenges that may arise when employing employees as office movers include the following:
- Trauma or head injury from furniture falling
- Back injuries from handling heavy boxes/furniture
- Sprains in hands from handling irregularly shaped objects
- Elevated risk of slips and falls due to obstructions
- Impeded egress from the building in case of an emergency due to blockages.
Up to 21% of occupational injuries are attributed to manual handling tasks, such as lifting, carrying, or moving boxes or objects by enlisting employees in relocating the office. The risk of these types of injuries increases. Another concern is tripping and falls, with 15% of claims being related to them and 22% of these incidents resulting in over a month of absence from work.
As a business owner, you would want to avoid any incidents that could lead to workers’ compensation claims and result in your employees being absent from work following the move.
Employees may be less cautious during the relocation rush, leading to a higher likelihood of unsafe acts.
Statistics indicate that 88% of workplace injuries are due to workers’ unsafe practices. This highlights the need for caution and reinforces the importance of not involving employees in the moving process.
Allergic Reactions to Dust and Cleaning Agents
Another aspect often overlooked in relocating an office is the potential to exacerbate respiratory conditions, such as allergies, asthma, or other breathing difficulties. The release of allergens, such as dust, into the air, coupled with the utilization of cleaning chemicals, can threaten to breathe.
Employees with severe allergies or respiratory issues may be eligible for compensation and time off work.
Potential Allergens that May Pose a Threat During the Move:
- Dust
- Fumes
- Latex
- Foods
- Office Plants
- Chemical substances in office supplies
- Pet Dander
- Perfumes
Damage to Critical Company Assets
In the event of losses incurred during the office move, the responsibility lies with the facilitator. By engaging the services of a professional moving company, any damage to belongings can be covered through the filing of a claim, provided that the moving company has packed the belongings. It is crucial to consider opting for packing services in this regard.
Higher Stress Levels for Employees and Employers
Relocation has been confirmed as one of the most stressful experiences for individuals. A study in 2020 showed that nearly 45% of Americans concurred that moving is the most stressful experience, surpassing significant events such as getting married, starting a family, finding a first job, and career changes.
Employers must demonstrate commitment to their employees in today’s competitive job market. Entrusting employees with the responsibility of relocating the office can convey a lack of respect and reduce their sense of empowerment, which is not desirable for a business owner.
Additionally, stress levels are directly proportional to the risk of injury, contributing to 60-80% of all injuries. Hiring a professional moving company can bring peace of mind to employers and employees, making it a worthwhile investment.
Loss of Company or Client Assets
Professional moving companies have specific systems to guarantee that things don’t get lost. Envision the stress you and your employees would feel if key tools were lost in the move. No one needs that kind of stress in the workplace. Moving companies always do this, meaning they’ve learned all the “hacks” to ensure it goes smoothly. And, again, if anything is lost, it is the moving company’s accountability.
Less Productivity For Your Team’s Adjustment
Your team will deal with aching muscles and physical exhaustion days after the move. This could lead to a drop in productivity as they adjust. They will also need time to recuperate from the stress, which may impact their performance.
Suppose you have professional office movers to set up your workspace for you. It will likely take time to get the office back to a productive state, as there may be a delay in accessing records, files, or internet servers on day one of the moves. In that case, your employees will be energized and empowered to get into the swing of things quickly without having to work through feelings of frustration due to careless words said during a move.
Problem Delivering Excellent Customer Service
Stress and physical strain could be better recipes for providing customer service.
By letting a commercial moving company to manage your office move, your employees will be energized and able to give the excellent customer service your clients have come to expect. You will instantly contribute to their mental and physical well-being by depending the move to the experts rather than relying on your employees to do it.
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Whether you’re moving locally or long-distance, at Illuminated Moving and Packing we work cohesively with you to make your moving process smooth and faster. Click here for peaceful moving and packing!