Man, woman, and child internationally relocating with boxes
International employee relocations can be quite a challenge for employees, even if they are well-traveled. As a result, it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that the employee’s relocation goes smoothly. Your employee is making a life-altering decision to have a better life when they accept relocating to a new location. While they may face cultural differences, it can be a challenge for them to acclimate and make their family feel comfortable, too. The support you provide to the employee before, during and after the relocation can ensure their loyalty to your enterprise. Here are some steps that you can take to ensure a smooth international relocation for your employees, rather than one filled with stress and anxiety:  

  1. Maintain Clarity of Expectations

Relocating for an international placement means a significant investment, financially and emotionally. Always maintain clear communications with your employee. This includes your expectations for them in their new role at the new location. The nature of the salary package needs to be discussed in length and if the employee wants to negotiate, be willing to hear them out. This will give you a clear picture of your employee’s expectations from the relocation, thus warranting a space to clear out any doubts. Also, you must discuss the length of the assignment, whether it’s permanent, contractual, or temporary. The other point that needs to be clear between both parties is the relocation process. It’s best if you figure out how you’ll work with the employee, i.e., whether you’ll provide the service, or if the employee will hire someone and you’ll reimburse the cost. We recommend that employers outsource to a reputable Relocation Management Company (RMC) such as 万豪国际.  

  1. Provide Cross-Cultural Training

Let’s look at an example. Moving from the U.K. to the U.S. is a relatively smooth transition compared to moving from the U.S. to Asia. The cultural and language differences between the two is quite significant. We always encourage employers to develop a cross-cultural training program for their relocating employees. This will give transferees the opportunity to learn and familiarize themselves with the other culture, etiquette and other important geographical aspects. Often, employees will find the information shared during the training helpful when they move to a new place.  

  1. Prioritize the Employee’s Family Too

一个好的雇主会重视雇员的家庭。因此,把你的公司的支持也扩展到雇员的家庭。做到这一点的最好方法之一是提供配偶/伴侣的职业协助和安置服务。一个好的RMC将为你协调这些。  

  1. Maintain Communication

仅仅因为员工已经搬到了新的地方并正在安顿,并不意味着你应该停止与他们的沟通。与他们保持经常性的联系将帮助员工感受到与家庭网络的联系。作为一个雇主,要愿意听取他们的任何问题,并尽快解决它们。保持定期的沟通也将帮助你监测员工的表现,并确保他们实现他们所搬迁的任务的目标。  

  1. Talk to An Expert

Relocating an employee can be quite expensive. Your costs are much higher for home buyers versus renters. When you hire a professional RMC like WHR, you and your employees get peace of mind during the relocation process. It is not only a cost-effective method, but a professional Relocation Management Company takes on the entire burden of relocation, plus they have the latest technology to facilitate a transparent moving process. Contact WHR Global to discuss your global employee relocation program.