We firmly believe that for an organization to be successful in today’s world, you have to have the right people doing the right things in the right location. That said, the decision to relocate an employee is not to be taken lightly – it’s a major commitment for both the organization and the employee who’s moving. If done poorly, you risk more than the money spent on relocating – your organization can suffer a severe reputational and talent hit as well.
That’s why it’s essential that your relocation program is carried out by caring professionals who are committed to creating a great experience for your organization and its employees. We’d like to share with you what our relocation process is like, both before the move and after employee settles into their new location.
Before the Move
The relocation experience begins once you authorize an employee for a relocation. Within 24-hours, your employee’s dedicated WHR Group counselor will reach out to introduce themselves as the main point of contact and schedule a time for an initial phone call. At this point, we find most employees are somewhere between excited and apprehensive ¬– they typically understand that this move is good for their career, but they might have concerns about leaving their familiar environment for their new life somewhere else.
Our counselors are looking to accomplish three goals during this initial outreach: to conduct an initial needs assessment (Are we moving a car? A pet? A piano?), to level-set expectations as to what is and isn’t covered in the relocation package, and most importantly to reassure your employee that their move is in good hands. Our counselors will also go over the benefits included in your relocation program, which could include:
- Homesale assistance or breaking a lease
- The physical moving of household goods, be it domestically or internationally
- Destination services such as home purchase assistance, temporary housing, and language training
- A cost of living adjustment
- Expense reimbursement or tax assistance
During the Move
The transition itself is often when stakes are the highest – and not just for the relocating employee. There’s a lot to arrange that require third-party vendors (like real estate agents and moving companies) and timing is paramount. Fair or not, your employees and their families will evaluate your company on how well their physical move is managed. This is a perfect opportunity for you to show how much your employees welfare means to you. Being able to quickly adapt with empathy around logistics like what happens when the move is scheduled during inclement weather can make the difference between your employees feeling like their experience is being handled competently…or like they’ve been left out of the loop and in the lurch.
We appreciate how critical it is that the move be handled with care, efficiency, and compassion. That’s why we make sure your employees and your company have online access to all the information you need to stay on top of the move. We also have two-person teams serving as your employees’ advocates: setting appointments, confirming status updates, ready at all times to step in at the slightest indication of a concern.
And all throughout the move, the relocating employee can rest easy, secure that their moving needs are being expertly tended to.
After the Move
Even after the relocation is complete and your employee has moved into their new environment, they may still have lingering concerns. Our counselors continue to work with them well after the transition to make sure they are completely satisfied with the entire relocation process. Questions at this stage might include:
- How to submit receipts for expenses incurred during the move
- Which expenses are covered under the company’s relocation program
- What are the tax implications of certain relocation-related expenses
Our founding values statement reads: “We value hard work, empathy, proactiveness, and trustworthiness in everything we do and from everyone we employ.” We believe the only way to create a great relocation experience for your company and its associates is to be proactive and to really commit to the best interests of the relocating employee. And that can only be accomplished by forging a genuine relationship between the counselor and employee.
Does this relocation process sound like the one your company offers? We invite you to benchmark your current relocation program against those of your competitors using our free Relocation Benchmark Comparison tool. Check it out and see where you stand!
