21 Jul Moving Your Employees Abroad? How to Make it Easier for Them
Relocating for a job can be a stressful upheaval for any staff member, but it can be even more grueling when that relocation takes them overseas. With so much to organize and new situations to adapt to, they need all the help and support they can get.
To help your employees with such a big transition, here are some points that may help them with the big change:
Be considerate and empathetic
The first thing that you need to do is put yourself in the shoes of your employee. If you were told by your company that you have to relocate to another country, how would you feel? What concerns would you have about the logistics of the move, the new location and the position? What would you need to deal with?
Empathy and support is crucial at this time. You need to be their boss in order to deal with the business side of the relocation and practical elements, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t also be a friend. Also, don’t forget the notice period. This should be in the contract, so be sure to abide by that to avoid legal issues, but the more notice you can give, the easier and less stressful it is for employees.
Be open and informative about the whole process
Be as open and honest with employees as possible and tell them everything. Don’t worry about an information overload; the more they know, they better they can adapt and manage the situation. There is a lot for your employee to sort out regarding the new job, their family and their finances so give them the time to do so effectively and with as much information as you can.
Be helpful and hands-on as much as they require it
Providing information is one thing, taking responsibility for organization is another. If you can provide checklists, information about accommodation, the new city, and paperwork on visas, passports and/or other certification required: it will be appreciated. Also, hiring a specialized relocation service that has a proven record of successful international relocation will be most helpful.
By putting yourself in the mindset of your employee, looking at the relocation from all angles and working to provide as much information as possible, you can ensure that the process runs smoothly and your employee leaves with a minimal stress level. Be their supportive, reliable boss right until the final day.
Offer incentives
To help your employees accept an international assignment, be sure to offer repatriation assistance, including a roundtrip airfare to return home at least once a year so the employee can stay close with his or her family. Be sure to send them to their selected country before they are asked to make the decision, this will ensure that the employee will know what to expect. Also, paying for language training is always helpful.
Discuss Career Development
By integrating an international assignment into an employee’s career development plan, the employee can view the relocation as a promotion, or a path to a future promotion. This is an enormous incentive.
The Bottom Line
In general, a great deal of junior employees in companies are eager to move abroad for professional reasons, as they see it as a great way to further their careers and have less personal commitments in their home country. However, unfortunately for companies, most of the time more experienced workers would be a better fit in overseas operations and these employees are often less willing to uproot their lives and move abroad. Hence why incentives are so important.
If you’re looking for expert advice on the logistics of a relocation, give us a call at 1-800-940-1939. Located in Seattle, Neighbors Relocation Services can help you with a local, interstate, and international move. Give us a call today for a free consultation.