Office Closing Checklist
An end of day closing checklist for offices and small shops: windows, appliances, cash, IT, lights, alarm and lock-up, so whoever leaves last does it right.
- Typical schedule daily
- The checklist 4 sections, 20 items
- Variables
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Use this checklist every evening, completed by the last person to leave an office, studio or small shop. Closing mistakes are rarely noticed until the next morning: an open window in the rain, a coffee machine left on, an alarm that was never set. A short, written round makes the routine the same for everyone.
Who owns it
Whoever locks up that day owns the run. If closing rotates, agree who the "last person out" is each day, because "someone will do it" means nobody does. A manager owns the template, the alarm codes and the list of who has keys.
Common pitfalls
- Setting the alarm with someone still inside. Walk all rooms, including toilets and meeting rooms, before arming. In a shared building, check whether a colleague is working late.
- Leaving devices and heaters on. Small kitchen appliances and portable heaters are a common source of fires. Switch them off at the socket where possible.
- Cash and valuables left out. Lock cash, laptops and documents away. Visible valuables invite break-ins.
- Skipping the door check. Pull every door after locking it. A door that looked closed is one of the most common causes of overnight problems.
A daily scheduled run in Runbook gives you a record of who closed and when. If something happened overnight, you know what was checked.
The checklist: Close and lock up {{location}}
Workspace
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Windows closed and locked in all rooms
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Confidential documents locked away and desks cleared
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Laptops and valuables locked away or taken home
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Meeting rooms checked: screens off, doors closed
Kitchen and appliances
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Coffee machine, kettle and other small appliances switched off
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Portable heaters and fans switched off at the socket
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Fridge door closed and no food left out
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Dishwasher started, or kitchen left clean optional
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Rubbish taken out if collection is in the morning optional
Cash and systems
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Till counted, cash recorded and locked in the safe optional
For shops and front desks. Two people count where possible.
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Card terminal end-of-day report run optional
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Phones switched to night mode or voicemail
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Printers and shared screens switched off or in standby
Lock up
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All rooms walked, including toilets, to make sure nobody is inside
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Lights switched off, except any required emergency or security lighting
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Heating or air conditioning set to night mode
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Back doors, storage rooms and fire exits closed and secured from the inside
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Alarm armed and the confirmation signal checked
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Front door locked and pulled to check it is closed
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Problems found during closing reported to the responsible person
Checklist as Markdown
Frequently asked questions
What is an end of day closing checklist?
It is a short list of checks the last person completes before leaving: windows, appliances, cash, systems, lights, alarm and doors. It makes sure the premises are safe and secure overnight, no matter who closes.
How long should closing take?
For a small office or shop, about ten to fifteen minutes. If it takes much longer, move weekly tasks like deep cleaning or stock checks into their own checklist and keep the daily one short.
Should fire exits be locked at night?
Fire exits must never be locked in a way that traps people inside while the building is in use. Outside working hours, rules depend on your local fire regulations and building. Ask your landlord or fire safety adviser what applies to your premises.
Updated