RIP: mourning the loss of your old office

As I gear up for the end of the year, inherently I’m also lining up the January 2020 runway of panic calls from clients who just moved into their new office space. Theoretically it makes sense that the majority of clients plan to complete their move during the December holiday time. This when most employees are gone, the office is closed and/or general business is slow. Not to mention lease expirations and wanting a "fresh start" come January 1st in their new space. While this is not new, my recommendation this year is. Have a celebration of life party for your old stopping grounds before checking out.

What management doesn’t always expect or prepare for is the passive aggressive resistance they may feel come week #1 in the new space. Sure the staff is getting over the holiday blues, but why the constant grumbling or passive aggressive complaints? They have great office snacks, brand new furniture, direct light + fresh air access, topped off with office plants that should make people feel happy, right? 

Not necessarily.

Employees may need to grieve that old office they always complained about. Yes, even that desk that was held up by duct tape. Before they can enjoy the bigger and brighter space, they may need time to mourn the loss of that old familiarity. The issue is less about the space itself and more about how humans respond to change—we are wired for predictability and you may now have taken 90% of that away…temporarily and unintentionally.

“What we often read as resistance to change can actually be a reaction to loss. If we look at it through that lens, we can help people navigate the change we are introducing.” 

Changes to an individual’s work area—especially those that reduce the footprint or lower panel heights—can shake people’s faith, raising questions about whether they are still valued and if their jobs are still important. So, if you find yourself there – take a look at this article for some navigating help.

Now, let's all take a minute to cheers to the stuffy air, IKEA desks, overpopulated parking lot + bathrooms, as we will end up reminiscing on our outdated office with our fellow 'veteran' coworkers down the road.

And of course, I’m only a phone call (or bar tab) away to help you though it.