How to move people between teams without losing them

Moving someone to another team can be a great tool. Sometimes the same person in a new seat does far better work. But move them without explaining why, or just to make a problem go away, and they often feel punished and start looking for a new job straight away.

What is the move for?

First, be able to say what the move will fix:

• Does the receiving team really need someone in that seat?
• Does this person suit the new seat better than the old one?
• Will their new working pairs lift each other or rub against each other?

If the only answer is "to calm the old team down", you are moving the problem, not solving it.

Look at both teams, not just one person

Moving one person changes two teams at once: one loses someone, the other gains someone. Look at the overview of both: who suits which seat, which pairs lift each other, which get on but get stuck, and which seats are still open. See the sample team report.

Try it in a trial team first

In HappyJob you can copy a real team into a trial team. Move seats, take someone out or bring someone in from another team, then compare with the real team: how the overall fit changes, whether more people sit in the right seat, whether there are more or fewer pairs that lift each other. The real team stays the same and nobody is notified. You can try up to three versions per team.

Treat the result as input for a decision, not an order to move anyone. You still know your team best.

Always talk before you move

1. Talk to the person first, before any rumours start.
2. Tell them honestly what you see in them that the new team needs.
3. Ask what they think, and give them time.
4. Make clear to both managers who owns which work during the handover.
5. Agree a review date, for example 30 days after the move, to talk again if it is not working.

After the move

Early on, the person needs someone to show them how the new team works, and needs to know their old work has been picked up. If the employee agrees to a work guide, the new manager can see what they are good at and what kind of tasks suit them. The employee sees the same guide and can withdraw at any time.

Try it free with a team of three at Team Fit.