Business Basics: Steps To Take When You Relocate An Employee To A Different City
Relocating an employee is not as simple as sending the employee the address of their new office and a date to report to this office. When you are arranging an employer-requested relocation of an employee to a new city or a new state, you must consider both the costs to your company and the cost to your valuable employee. When a person is asked to cut their ties with their current colleagues and transfer to a new location where they will work with new people, it can cause disruption in their entire family’s life. This is why preparation is key. Here are steps to take as an employer when you want to oversee a well-organized transfer:
Set Up a Program to Ease the Home Selling Process for Your Employee
If your employee owns a home, the home is more than likely one of their largest assets. Being asked to move long distance can create problems because the employee may be in a time crunch and resort to selling their home at a loss. If you want to ease this process for your employee, it is important to set up a home selling process for transferees.
Many employers are offering direct reimbursement assistance programs, where the employer will pay for specified costs that incurred during the sales process. These costs include agent commission and closing costs. There are also guarantee-against-loss programs, which is designed for transferees who are buying a new home. This program protects the employee from having to make two house payments at once if their old home does not sell. It also protects the employee if they sell their home for a loss. Whichever type of program that you choose to offer, be sure that the details of the program are written out thoroughly so that the employee understands the terms.
Give the Employee Time to Learn About the New Location
Chances are your employee does not know much about the location that they will be transferring to. If you want to ensure that the employee is happy in their new city, give them access to city data or send them to the area to visit before they make the move. A visitation trip will truly give the employee a feel for the area, and will help them get settled in faster if they decide to relocate.
Adjust Salaries
Adjusting the employee’s salary can be very difficult when the cost-of-living is significantly higher at the new location. While some use this index, others will not. When you are negotiating a salary increase, you need to decide on the best wage structure. Some employers will offer a relocation bonus or a cost of living allowance and keep the salaries the same to make the adjustments as easy as possible.
Find A Replacement
While it’s important to make all of the necessary arrangements for the employee to ease into their new location, it’s vital not to overlook how it will change the dynamics of the office. It may be necessary to find a replacement for the employee, or it may require others take on an extra work load. While the employee’s work might not change much, there will still be some rearranging that needs to be done in the office to keep business running as usual.
Arrange The Move
Once the date has been set and a new home has been selected, the next step is arranging the move. It is important to start planning for an employee relocation very early. Between selling a home, giving notice on a lease, visiting the new city and finding a home, the process takes time. It is best to hire a moving company to do all of the packing, heavy lifting and transporting, suggests professionals at BC Alberta Movers. By scheduling movers to come take inventory at least 90 days in advance, you can be sure that the family’s belongings are moved in a timely manner. You will also need to arrange transport by car or plane for the family.
After the employee and their family arrive, they will need time to settle in. Having a companion in the new office show them around town is always helpful. Relocation may be a necessary part of business, but it is important to be prepared. Make all of the necessary arrangements so that your employee feels valued.
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Category: Business
