Temporary Housing Solution in Zürich, Switzerland | Case Study

by | Sep 11, 2023 | Case Study

Click Here to Download the PDF Version of Zürich, Switzerland Case Study
Click Here to Download the PDF Version of Zürich, Switzerland Case Study

Objective

Find Temporary Furnished Housing Solutions for Clients’ Employees in Zürich’s Tight Housing Market.

Challenge

Due to an extremely competitive & stretched Zürich (Switzerland) housing market, WHR Global (WHR) was having difficulties finding temporary housing solutions for its clients’ employees. Two multi-national WHR clients – a 44-billion-dollar pharmaceutical company & an 86-billion-dollar food manufacturing company – provide temporary housing benefits (30–90-day stays) to their relocating employees while looking for permanent or long-term housing.

Since both clients’ offices are 30 minutes outside the Zürich city center – a 45-minute tram ride – it was challenging finding short-term, 2+ bedroom, pet-friendly units for employees close to their offices. The standard short-term housing vacancy rate in Zürich is approximately 0.8%, but the 2021-2022 vacancy rate is at an extremely competitive 0.15%.

 

“The global competition for short-term and permanent housing has been unprecedented. It has thrown assignees into disarray, and if they are slow to act during a home search, the issues can compound.

Employees can’t register with local authorities, shipments can’t clear customs, and expensive temporary housing is extended again at a great cost to our clients.”

Sean Thrun

Strategic Initiatives Manager, WHR Global

Ratio of Housing Prices to Income Since 2015

According to 2021 data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the ratio of housing price to income has risen 18% in Switzerland since 2015. This ratio can be seen as a measure of affordability, with the base year 2015 (100).

 

OECD (2022), Housing prices (indicator).

Solution

WHR proactively partnered with a regional destination services provider and formulated a plan. The partner procured long-term, unfurnished housing and converted each unit to furnished temporary housing. Then, WHR brokered an agreement with its two clients to share costs and reduce overall risk. Each client would have the right of first refusal to a dedicated number of temporary housing units, and if the units were not reserved in time, they would be available to lease on the open market.

When combining both clients, approximately 50 employees needed temporary housing solutions annually in Zürich. WHR’s provider partner procured a mass quantity of unfurnished units upfront. As part of a comprehensive service offering, the partner also offered to provide furnishings, property management, local residency registration, unit cleaning, lease coordination, cable TV and internet registration, liability insurance coverage, and parking.

Benefits

#1 Lower Assignee Stress & Higher Productivity

The dedicated pool of apartments brings shorter commutes, nicer accommodations, and guaranteed housing at an impactful moment during the employee’s relocation. Guaranteed temporary accommodations allow employees to focus more energy on their home search, shipment, local registration, and new organizational roles. This also translates into higher employee engagement and more productive employees.

#2 Improved Recruitment & Retention

The war for talent is fierce, and companies struggle to fill open positions, particularly in highly specialized positions with limited talent pools. Additionally, retaining good talent has become a great challenge for organizations as worker demand outweighs supply. Making an employee’s life simpler by letting someone else handle all the details and providing employees with attractive accommodations in a desirable location is improving client recruitment and retention initiatives.

#3 Clients’ Cost Savings

According to market research on Zürich, temporary housing, 2 and 3-bedroom furnished apartments commonly range from 5,000 to 7,250 CHF (approximately $5,150 to $7,470 USD). With a dedicated pool of apartments, WHR expects its clients to save up to 26% per apartment booking. When extrapolated to 50 relocating employees, WHR expects to save approximately 108,000 CHF annually (equivalent to $111,000 USD) for its clients. In addition, the dedicated apartments and the right of first refusal ensure that WHR’s clients have guaranteed corporate housing from a trusted source instead of employees sourcing options on Airbnb or another financially risky website.

 

According to global organizational consulting firm Korn Ferry, by 2030, “more than 85 million jobs could go unfilled because there aren’t enough skilled people to take them.”

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Case Study – Fortune 500 Workday Interface

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Workday Interface Improves Payroll for Fortune 500 Company | Case Study

by | Sep 11, 2023 | Case Study

Click Here to Download the PDF Version of the Workday Interface Case Study
Click Here to Download the PDF Version of Workday Interface Case Study

Objective

Build a custom Workday interface file to streamline a Fortune 500 Company’s payroll reporting. Additionally, design an intuitive benefits processing interface within WHR’s Mobility and HR team portal, empowering them to efficiently manage relocation payments. These payments will seamlessly integrate into Workday and be promptly disbursed through their payroll system.

Challenge

HR and global mobility teams are responsible for quickly disbursing many types of benefits and allowances to a population of assignees. Across large organizations, it can be difficult to ensure employees are paid quickly and compliantly with all taxable benefits reported through company payroll; This is especially true for Fortune 50 companies such as a Fortune 500 Company which has 58,000 employees and annual revenue of $89 billion USD. These issues can be compounded due to the variety of benefits being processed and/or reported through payroll:

  1. Allowances paid through company payroll;
  2. Allowances paid through the relocation management company (WHR);
  3. Reimbursements paid from WHR to the employee;
  4. Invoices paid from WHR to a relocation supplier partner (e.g., movers, temporary housing, etc.).

 

“Now more than ever, our clients have a broad selection of Human Capital Management systems to choose from, including Workday. It’s critical for Relocation Management Companies such as WHR to create bespoke solutions where there may be barriers to true integrations.

This Workday interface solution enables HR and global mobility teams to process and report allowances quickly, compliantly, and with confidence to a global population of assignees.”

Sean Thrun

Strategic Initiatives Manager, WHR Global

Impact

49% of American workers will seek new employment after just two payroll mistakes, such as being paid late or incorrectly. (The Workforce Institute at Kronos)

The IRS has estimated that around one-third of employers make a payroll mistake in any given year, collecting nearly $7 billion in penalties for 2021. (US Internal Revenue Service)

In a study of companies across the US, Ernst & Young (EY) found that fixing a single payroll error cost companies, on average, $291 to remedy directly and indirectly. (Ernst & Young)

Solutions

At no cost to theirs, the IT Department at WHR built a custom benefits processing screen within WHR’s Mobility & HR Team Portal. Each contact was given role-based access (e.g., Processor vs Approver). This important delegation of responsibilities prevents one individual from disbursing unauthorized funds to another employee. Once approved by two team members, these allowance payments flow to a Workday Interface screen, along with any additional relocation benefits which need to be reported for payroll.

At their preferred interval, their mobility team can click a button to automatically generate an interface file which can be imported to Workday. In addition to reporting taxable relocation benefits, this interface file instructs payments to the respective employees through company payroll. Examples include relocation allowances, three-year location cost differentials, travel allowances, and more.

Benefits

Employees Paid Quickly & Compliantly

By approving relocation allowances through WHR’s benefits processing screen, the company now has greater control over their program and processes. They dictates when and how employees get paid, with custom logic to disburse different amounts by benefit tier, salary grade, location, and more. Plus, new hires can receive funds from WHR before they’re even onboarded to payroll. All payments are included in WHR’s reporting.

Sync Payroll Data Across Systems

By interfacing WHR’s system with Workday, there’s no room for payments to slip through the cracks. Since implementation, the company has not needed to file a W-2C, significantly improving employee satisfaction and creating promoters within their relocation program.

WHR mapped its system with their Workday data fields, empowering them to capture and report on any data point they would like at no additional cost.

Reallocate Time & Budget Elsewhere

WHR’s Workday interface solution is a relocation enablement tool; It allows companies to process benefits faster, report to payroll at the click of a button, eliminate the headache of filing W-2Cs, and reallocate time elsewhere.

Rather than paying $200/hour for custom development, the benefits processing screens and Workday interface was built for free. Instead of delaying the process through contract negotiations, they were able to redeploy their time and overhead expenses toward other HR projects and improvements.

Workday data mapping may include: clawback dates for repayment agreements, on-cycle and off-cycle payments, one-time or multiple payments (monthly, annually), employee ID, & any other requested fields.

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Company Benefits of Offering Employee Relocation Packages

by | Aug 21, 2023 | Resources

Searches for “Employee Relocation Package” have increased by 300% from November of 2023 to January of 2024. This article delves into the transformative power of these packages, shedding light on how they enhance the talent pool and contribute to a company’s success.

According to McKinsey & Company interviews with more than 100 chief human resources officers and people leaders, HR leaders are most focused on innovating the employee experience journey to win the race for talent. The data is clear: moving is the 3rd most stressful event a person can go through in their lifetime after the death of a loved one and a divorce. Therefore, your company must offer sufficient employee relocation program benefits to ensure your employees and their families have a positive experience (and perception) of your organization.

Offering company relocation packages to your employees will positively impact your recruiting efforts. Here are the top 5 benefits of offering comprehensive employee relocation program packages when hiring.

Benefits of Offering Employee Relocation Packages

Some of the benefits that employees expect include the following:

  • Relocation allowances
  • Temporary housing
  • Assistance buying and selling their home (in new and old locations)
  • Spousal/partner and family support
  • Packing services
  • Paid house hunting
  • Rental car reimbursement
  • Household goods shipments
  • Visas and other immigration issues
  • Cultural assistance

Let’s make a point clear with company job relocations; it’s not only the employees who have an advantage, but companies also find moves to be beneficial. It adds noticeable value to the company in several ways. Therefore, it is time we take a detailed look into how employee relocation program packages benefit an employer.

1. Candidate Pool Is Widened

Most companies are looking for a talented and diverse workforce, regardless of size. At times, it can be quite challenging to find people within the same geographic location who have the proper skills and experience to give the company an edge over others in the industry. Expanding the search beyond the geographic location to a worldwide talent pool will give you more candidates with the required skills and knowledge to select from. You will be able to attract talent that otherwise could be hindered by the costs of a new location or apprehensive about relocating. The cultural diversity of the workforce can dramatically change, fostering new ideas and ways of thinking.

2. Reducing The Vacancy

When you offer a robust company relocation program package to talent, the international market for quality candidates will open for your company. This allows you to fill vacant positions faster and more efficiently. As a result, the entire enterprise can work expertly and effectively. Ensure you work with a relocation service, such as WHR Global, that can accommodate international relocation packages.

3. Helps Positive Company Brand Promotion

While many consider corporate relocation packages an employee benefit, it’s time to look at it from another perspective. Although a good company relocation package surely attracts candidates to a company, it also speaks about the enterprise. When a company says it cares about an employee’s transition and comfort with robust plans and relocation packages, it puts the company in a good light. The relocation benefit adds value to the enterprise and works as an excellent promotional feature, eventually attracting more international and domestic talent. It can foster quicker onboarding and productivity, thus increasing bottom line and employee satisfaction.

4. Improved Employee Retention 

A successful relocation package gives the employee a sense of commitment towards the company, knowing the company is taking care of them. Companies that pay for relocation can attract and retain talent by following these WHR Global six simple tips:

5. Knowledge Transfer  

When an existing employee goes to a new assignment as part of a company relocation, they will transfer unique knowledge and skills to this new location. In this relocation example, interacting with new people will also increase culture, experience, and expertise that will help develop new perspectives for the company. This type of relocation example eventually helps to make the enterprise stronger, have an international approach, and enhance its functional capacity. Companies that provide relocation assistance will have a leg up on the competition in an ever-competitive market for top talent.

Overall, a good employee relocation package gives your company a competitive edge over others by easily securing the industry’s top talent. Hire an employee relocation management company, like WHR Global, to take care of your global mobility program. Your company will reap the benefits in the long run if you support your employees throughout their corporate relocation package.

 

What is COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment)?

by | Jul 26, 2023 | News

Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) is a crucial aspect corporations consider when relocating employees or hiring talent from different geographical regions.  What is COLA? COLAs are payments designed to compensate employees for the higher cost of living they encounter in their new destination. Learn more about calculating cost of living adjustments, definition, and factors in cola payments.

Understanding Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)

Cost of Living Allowances or Adjustments, commonly known as COLA, serve a common purpose: to bridge the gap between the cost of living in a low or moderate region and that in a higher-cost location. The employer compensates the employee based on housing, goods and services, and taxes, enabling them to maintain the same standard of living in their new area. This is the purest definition of a cola, but many nuances go into the calculation.

Calculating Cost of Living Adjustment

An accurate calculation is the foundation of a fair cost of living adjustment. Several providers offer services to calculate housing costs, goods, services, and other factors to determine the standard. The origination city’s cost index is then compared to the new town’s to identify the cost difference. Many employers have a limited number of potential locations for employee relocations, making it easier to assess cost indexes. Employers may also compare entire regions instead of individual cities for easy calculation. WHR can help our clients understand the COLA formula and make the best decision.

Factors in Calculating COLA

Employers must decide under what conditions they will offer a cost-of-living adjustment. The percentage of change in the cost of living between the locations is a critical factor in determining COLA. The question becomes, what is a standard cost of living raise? Some employers may require a cost-of-living shift greater than 3%, 5%, or 10% to provide the COLA. Those aiming to offer more generous benefits may set a lower threshold for cost-of-living changes to benefit a more significant number of employees. Every employer will determine their COLA benefits differently. The cost of living adjustment will also vary by employee and, of course, location. Many of these are case-by-case situations for COLA payments.

Duration and Payment of COLA

Once a COLA is determined to be provided, the next consideration is the duration and payment method. Traditionally, U.S. domestic COLAs are calculated once and paid as a lump sum allowance or distributed over a specified period. Companies may maintain the adjustment for an extended period to allow employees more time to adapt to their new location.

 On the other hand, international COLAs are recommended to be recalculated more frequently due to fluctuating currency rates, inflation, and other uncontrollable factors. For international assignments with pre-determined end dates, companies often offer the cost of living adjustment for the entire duration. However, if the assignment is open-ended, the company may transition the employee to the local standard of living (localizing) and discontinue the COLA after a set period.

Importance of Benchmarking

Relocation benefits can vary significantly across industries. Therefore, benchmarking your organization’s COLA policy against peers is crucial. Some industries may offer more frequent and generous COLAs, while others may not consider it at all. Understanding these variations can help determine whether a COLA adjustment or increase is needed. Ultimately, it can help you tailor your policy to meet your organization’s needs. The last piece to consider in benchmarking is understanding market rates in target relocation areas.

Conclusion

Cost of Living Adjustment is a vital tool/formula corporations use to ensure their employees can maintain the same standard of living when relocating to higher-cost locations. Companies can design worker compensation and relocation packages that attract and retain top talent by understanding the factors involved in calculating COLA and benchmarking against industry peers.

Improve your COLA benefits with our Allowances & Per Diems Benchmark.

Download Allowances & Per Diems Benchmark

WHR Global Releases Ask an Expert 2023 Allowances & Per Diems Benchmark Report

by | Jul 17, 2023 | Press Release

WHR Global Shapes Clients’ Policies to Ensure Allowances & Per Diems Are Competitive in the Market

 

Milwaukee, July 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — WHR Global (WHR), a leader in the global employee relocation industry, announced the release of its international 2023 Allowances & Per Diems Benchmark Report called “Ask an Expert!”

At WHR, our mission is to provide clients with superior relocation services, and to do so, we need to be in tune with the global cost of living. To accomplish this, we created the Ask an Expert 2023 Allowances & Per Diems Benchmark Report, a comprehensive guide to understanding the true cost of living, not just in one city, but in many cities worldwide.

“Drawing from my own personal experience as a former expat residing in Switzerland, and a former relocation coordinator, I bring a deep understanding of the challenges and intricacies of international relocation,” said Sean Thrun, Strategic Initiatives Manager at WHR. “This benchmark report and firsthand knowledge equips WHR with the ability to provide valuable insights and guidance to mobility teams, enabling them to navigate the complexities of global assignments more effectively.”

The Report includes 8.8 million price submissions from 11,000 cities, and prices benchmarked by country include rental prices for 1 & 3 bedrooms both inside and outside of city centers, common utilities costs per month, local transportation, and more. Understanding the ground realities of cost of living helps relocation teams create scalable solutions and helps businesses have more productive moves, making the transition for employees smoother than ever.

The Report allows businesses to “check the pulse” of their allowances and per diems, whether they choose to administer fixed amounts globally, or variable by location. If global mobility teams find that the allowances and per diems offered to their employees are lower than the average for that country, contact WHR today for a free consultation, including a breakdown of the benchmark report by city. 

Global mobility teams may use this Report, which covers 99 countries, to benchmark the following:

      • Monthly housing allowances for assignments & commuters,
      • Monthly utilities allowances for assignments & commuters,
      • Monthly transportation allowances for assignments & commuters, 
      • Transportation per diems for preview and home finding trips, and
      • Meal per diems for preview and home finding trips.

Whether you are a relocation manager or a business leader, investing in the Ask an Expert 2023 Allowances & Per Diems Benchmark Report today can help you make the most informed decisions for your relocation budget and employee benefits policies.

See more data and download the complete 2023 Allowances & Per Diems Benchmark Report “Ask an Expert” here.

The Ask an Expert 2023 Allowances & Per Diems Benchmark is intended for informational purposes only.

About WHR Global

WHR Global (WHR) is a private, client-driven global relocation management company distinguished by its best-in-class service delivery and cutting-edge, proprietary technology. WHR has offices in the United States, Switzerland, and Singapore. With its 100% client retention rate for the past decade, WHR continues to position itself as the trusted leader in global employee relocation. WHR lives by its vision and passion for Advancing Lives Forward® and Making the Complex Simple. To learn more about WHR, visit https://whrg.com/, or follow on LinkedIn or Twitter.

 

Media Contact: Sean Thrun, Strategic Initiatives Manager

[email protected]

+1-262-746-1314