Corporate Relocations
Transitioning Your Employees When Moving Corporate Offices
During the office relocation process, a lot of uncertainty can set in and the employees may easily feel demoralized about the security of their jobs. It’s up to management to take steps to engage and motivate their employees. After all, moving into a new office is something to get excited about. Here are some practical tips to keep employee satisfaction at an optimum level during corporate relocation.
1. Involve employees in the office design process.
Value their opinion regarding how the office space design will take shape. Among their biggest concerns will be their workstations and the dining area. Ask staff what’s on their mind, and let them know that their opinions will be communicated to the corporate relocation specialist.
2. Realign expectations.
The employees might feel lost about how the move will affect the work calendar and both the short-term and long-term goals to be achieved. Communicate with them constantly, and tell them how the move will alter (or not alter) the achievement of preset work goals.
3. Update employees about the progress of the relocation.
Every now and then – at the start of every other work day, for example – show photos of what the new office looks like so far. To excite them even more and to achieve a more dramatic effect, you can place your current work office photos side by side with photos of the new office. You’d be sure to elicit just enough ooh’s and aah’s to motivate them to work.
4. Encourage staff to work on a project.
Solicit volunteers to work on a special project that will be placed in the new office, like a corkboard containing photos of some of their best memories at the old work location, and set up a special corner or spot in the lunch room of your new location to be dedicated to this project. This will give employees a sense of entitlement and belongingness.
These are just four practical and creative tips to involve and motivate your employees throughout the corporate relocation process. By letting them feel that they are part of the entire process, you can eliminate uncertainty while motivating them to stay at the top of their game.
Tax Deductions and Credits: Corporate Relocation in Canada
Last week we discussed Tax Credits and Deductions – Corporate Renovation in Canada This week, we are focusing on Tax Deductions and Credits in Corporate Relocation in Canada. With tax deductible expenses specifically for corporate relocation, companies should not worry about additional taxes and expenses that moving one’s office entails. In fact, with D.J. McGauley & Associates, the costs of your corporate relocation will be much more affordable than with any other corporate specialist.
Provincial Land Tax Rebate Program for Vacant Commercial and Industrial Buildings
When moving out and leaving an industrial or commercial property that you own either partially or entirely vacant, you can qualify for a rebate of Provincial Land Tax throughout the entire period of your vacancy. As long as a commercial building is entirely vacant for around 90 consecutive days and remains unused, you may ask for a rebate of your property tax until February 28.
If you’ve already paid the provincial land tax for the building you own and are currently occupying, there’s no need to wait until the end of the fiscal year before you move out and let it stop you from moving. Take note that this is only available for Ontario businesses.
If one of your fears in corporate relocation is that you might end up paying taxes twice, and even incurring additional taxes, the moving taxes deduction should put your worry to rest. This tax deduction is available for businesses that will be carried on in a new location that is at least 40 kilometers away from the previous workplace.
You can claim reasonable amounts for the following:
– Transportation and storage costs (including packing, hauling, in-transit storage, insurance, and storage) for all effects
– Travel expenses either through the detailed or simplified method. By using the detailed method, you can deduct expenses ranging from your meal expenses to the vehicle expenses, as long as supported by receipts and records. With the simplified method, you can calculate the number of kilometers from the takeoff place to the destination.
– Cancellation of lease cost is for the deductions on the rental period that you weren’t able to use up
– Incidental costs covers the fees for the change on legal documents, the replacement of driving licenses, and utility hook-ups
– Cost to maintain the old office of as much as $5,000, including the property taxes, the insurance premiums, the interest, and the utility expenses
Corporate Space Planning & Relocation Advice 