Get The Facts

Get Set for Cambridge with answers to questions about the new facilities, services and amenities, how to plan for the move, and what to expect when you arrive.

Countdown to Cambridge FAQs

About the Move

When are we moving to Building 9?

The move is scheduled for the weekend of July 19-21. Boxes should be packed and labeled no later than 3:00 pm on Thursday, July 18, 2013. Employees should plan to work remotely on Friday, if possible, as computers will be disconnected on Friday.

When will I get my moving crates?

Moving crates and labels will be delivered on June 25 or on July 2 to accommodate the 4th of July holiday. Each employee will get 4 crates.

Can I come into the office over the weekend to get my new space set up?

We strongly recommend moving employees do not come into the office over the weekend. There will be plenty of time to unpack and get settled in on Monday. Also, we recommend that you do not schedule meetings or conference calls on the first morning to give yourself ample time to unpack and familiarize yourself with the new surroundings and technology.

How long do I have to unpack my crates?

Hopefully, most employees will have the opportunity to unpack and have their crates removed on Monday, however, the Move Team will be back on Wednesday and Friday, July 26 to pick up empty crates.

About the Space

What type of meeting space is available in Buildings 1 and 9?

Conference rooms are available in several sizes, from 2 person huddle rooms to a large 40-person room. Each floor includes conference rooms that are bookable by anyone in the company. Conference rooms that accommodate 8 or more are available to the floor. Huddle rooms are not bookable and are available on a first come, first serve basis.

For small meetings and impromptu conversations, why not consider a flexible seating area or grab some space in a satellite café? For larger meetings, auditorium space is available in Buildings 6 and 8.

Where will you put your personal things, like your purse, coat, and briefcase, in these new spaces?

Coat closets are available on each floor. The 6x8 and 6x6 I-spaces have been designed with locking files drawers for additional storage.

About Services & Amenities

Will Mothers' rooms be available in Building 9?

Yes, in Building 9 there will be one per floor from floors 2- 6. Rooms will be bookable via Outlook.

What does the new fitness center provide?

The fitness center which is 7,600 square feet will be operated by Plus One fitness center and will have state of the art Lift Fitness, Octane and Matrix cardio equipment, free weights and strength equipment as well as a full spectrum of group exercise equipment, including spin bikes.   Ten classes per week will be offered, time of day to be determined, with a number of classes offered during the noontime hour.  There are men's and women's locker rooms with lockers for day use (not overnight storage).  Showers will also be available and soap, shampoo and towel service is provided.   Hours of operation will be 24/7, with staffed hours being 7am-7pm Monday through Friday.  Memberships are $25/month (payroll deduction for employees, contractors can pay by check to Plus One).

About Technology

When will I get Lync 2013?

If you are moving to Bio 9, you will automatically receive Lync 2013, including Lync Phone (Enterprise Voice) approximately two weeks prior to the move to Bio 9. All other users in all sites will receive the Lync 2013 client in October to align with the Bio 1 move; however, this will not include Lync Phone, which will be rolled out on a site-by-site basis from Q4 2013 – Q4 2014.

When will I get Lync Phone (Enterprise Voice)?

Bio 9 employees will get Lync Phone in June prior to the move. Bio 1 employees will get Lync Phone in Q4 prior to their move to Bio 1. All other sites will get Lync Phone on a phased rollout through 2014.

If I'm getting Lync Phone, how do I get a Lync-enabled headset?

Each user will receive a form to select their preferred headset. You can complete a form for another user, but there must be one form for each request.

If I already have a headset, can I just use that, or do I need a new one?

In order to have the best possible Lync experience, you need to use a new headset that we have selected to work specifically with Lync.

Will I get a new phone number?

If you are moving intra-campus (Cambridge to Cambridge, e.g.), you will keep your same phone number. If you are moving from another location (Weston to Cambridge, e.g.), you will receive a new phone number.

• More Technology FAQs

About Commuting and Parking

Will the intercampus shuttle continue to run between Weston and Cambridge?

Yes, the Local Motion shuttle buses will continue to run daily between Weston and Cambridge. Click here to see the current shuttle schedule.

Has Biogen Idec considered adding a Hubway station in Cambridge?

Biogen is planning to sponsor and install a Hubway station on the Binney Street side of our Cambridge campus.  Hubway is an accessible and green bike sharing system providing over 100 stations and 1,000 bikes available in convenient locations such as North Station, South Station, and the Back Bay Station, making Hubway a convenient mode of transportation for any commuter.  Once you've signed up for Hubway membership, you are free to take a bike from one of the solar-powered docks, and enjoy your ride! Bikes can be returned to any Hubway station.

Is the Weston campus being considered as a Park & Ride location for the new BIIB Coach?

Yes. We expect that one of the new BIIB Coach routes will include a stop in Weston.

What is the Emergency Ride Home Service?

For employees who use the Coach Bus or other alternatives to driving alone such as public transportation, carpools, vanpools, biking or walking to work at least three (3) days per week, Biogen Idec provides an Emergency Ride Home service. If you have a personal emergency, such as personal illness or emergency, family illness or emergency, or a non-routine work demand such as unplanned/unscheduled overtime where a supervisor requires you to work late, Emergency Ride Home provides a cab voucher to use for transportation home.  This service is facilitated by Charles River Transportation Management Authority (CRTMA) and you must pre-register for the cab vouchers, which may take up to three weeks to receive.  Employees are encouraged to be prepared for unplanned emergency ride needs by registering in advance.  Click here to review program and policy information and to register for the Emergency Ride Home Program.

About Flexible Work Arrangements (FWAs)

What are flexible work arrangements?

A FWA is an arrangement requested by an employee and approved by a manager to alter how and where an employee works, either by hours and/or location. It is a mutually beneficial arrangement between the employee and their immediate manager that meets the needs of both the business and the individual. No one alternative fits all situations and no guidance can be appropriate for all situations. 


What types of flexible work arrangements are being offered?

Biogen Idec has four flexible work options — telecommuting, flexible hours, part-time and job shares. Additional information on each of these programs is available in the Flexible Work Arrangement Guideline document.

Are FWAs available to both exempt and non-exempt employees?

Yes. Flexible work arrangements are available to both exempt and non-exempt employees; however, a non-exempt employee's arrangement should not include a schedule that would require overtime pay.

About Child Care Services

Where is the On-site child care center located?

Biogen Idec has partnered with Bright Horizons to provide on-site child care services in Cambridge. The 8,000-square-foot facility is located on the first floor of Building 9.

How many children can the Center accommodate? How was the number determined?

The Center will accommodate 124 children ages 6 weeks through 6 years. There will be 28 slots for infants, 36 for toddlers and 60 for preschool age children.  To determine the Center's capacity we used predictive modeling based on BIIB–specific demographics and other factors.  The amount of physical space we had available to dedicate to the Center was also a very important factor.  

Are part-time enrollment schedules available?

Yes, part-time enrollment will be allowed.  There will be parameters for part-time enrollment such as a minimum number of hours per day and days per week. 

Where can I get additional information on Bright Horizons and the new Biogen Idec Child Care Center?

Bright Horizons will hold on site parent information session in the summer in the early spring. In the interim, parents are encouraged to visit their website at (URL) or contact Christie Pinheiro, Regional Manager, by email at Christie.pinheiro@brighthorizons.com or by phone at 857-413-9241.

About Getting Help

Who do I call if something isn't working correctly on move-in day?

When you arrive at your new location in Building 9 on Monday, July 22, members of the Move Team will be in your area and available for support. If you need assistance, refer to the Welcome Kit that will be waiting for you when you arrive.