Did you know that 84% of millennials said they would willingly move for a specific job?
Relocation offers a great opportunity for the employee. This is especially true when they’re getting a higher position in the process. It’s a chance to get comfortable in a new place and find more prospects.
The company also enjoys the benefits of filling up a vacant position or opening in a new location. When the employee relocation goes well, it spells great things for both parties. However, few people can make employee relocation work out well.
If you want to learn how to do it right, keep reading for our guide on employee relocation.
1. What Is Employee Relocation?
We can glean what the term means from its name. Employee relocation is when a company moves an employee from one location to another. Often, this move will include benefits to entice the employee and to make the move easier for them.
Relocation packages offer help in moving household items, help with the departure, and counseling. The employee the company chooses can be a new or old employee. Other reasons for relocation include career development or filling in an open position.
For example, your company is opening a new branch in a new area. You need someone who stands by the company mission and with experience to manage it. Thus, you’ll offer one of your best employees a relocation package.
2. Benefits of Employee Relocation
When you offer relocation packages to employees, you gain several benefits.
First, your company gains new clients in areas they want to target. Businesses are always branching out into new cities with high prospects. This is because some cities offer tax breaks and incentives to make a business more profitable.
Second, a new location can also offer a pool of employees with a specific skill set or expertise. You open a business in the area where many potential employees live. For example, businesses target areas near schools for the supply of fresh graduates.
Employee relocation is a cheaper and time-saving choice when building a new facility. It’s smarter than starting from zero again to hire and train new employees. Relocating employees is also a must while you’re renovating your facilities.
3. What to Include in Your Relocation Packages
Your employees will move out of their comfort zone for the right job. However, some employees might look for more than a pay raise and a new job title. Oftentimes, what they want isn’t even something too big or expensive.
When you’re offering an employee the relocation package, they often keep their ears open for a few key things. One of these is help with the move. Nobody wants to shoulder all the stress and finances of moving to a new place.
If you can, offer pre-decision counseling with them. This way, they can better assess the move and their job opportunities. It’s also smart to let them
4. Prepare an Employee for Relocation
Let’s talk about how to make relocation easier for you and the relocating employee.
It’s most important to get everything organized and labeled so they know where they can find what. If the employee is taking company computers with them, give instructions on how to pack them.
Create a detailed employee relocation checklist. If they accept the job 8 weeks before the move, have them visit the new office. This way, they can connect with other employees and consider the cost of living in the new area.
Six weeks before the move, let them know it’s time to start looking for a new home. You can help make this easy when you list with Corporate Keys Australia, for example. This is also the time to start budgeting for the move and track any moving expenses.
Four weeks before the move, a car-shipping service should have a plan for their vehicle. Also, they should already have a temporary housing solution if they haven’t found a permanent one yet. Two weeks before, they need their utilities transferred and mail address changed already.
5. Tips for Employee Relocation
Most employers pitch the relocation offer as they extend a formal job offer. You don’t need to offer help you can’t give. However, it will be more difficult to encourage the employee to take the job offer.
If you can’t help with the move, it’s important to be upfront with your candidate about the information. Remember that relocating to a new place is a huge deal. Give your employee time to process and consider the offer.
Pitch the relocation package to your employee before you put it down in writing. This way, you can talk about the specifics of the help for the move with the employee.
What if the relocated employee quits? Since relocating an employee can be expensive, many employers fear this outcome. Before you disburse relocation funds, have them sign a relocation contract or repayment agreement.
6. Can’t Offer a Relocation Package? Use Alternatives
If you can’t support your employees, the best you can give is advice. Instead of offering financial help, make time to help the move easier. Talk to contacts that can assist them with housing or transportation.
If you know a real estate agent in the area they’re moving to, introduce them. The agent can help them look for a house that best fits their lifestyle and budget. If they need a place for a short stay, recommend an affordable apartment or hotel in the area.
Transportation advice is no joke either, especially if they need to ride to work. Give them valuable information like when in the day they can expect the worst traffic. You can also provide the easiest and fastest ways to get to work.
Keep Your Business Going With Employee Relocation
Relocating an employee is a big deal to the company as it is to the employee. Making detailed preparations is the key to a successful relocation.
That’s it for our guide on employee relocation.
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