Being offered the opportunity to take up a position with one of their company’s overseas divisions is a dream come true for some employees, and perhaps the worst nightmare imaginable for others; especially in situations where economic pressures make such an offer an instruction rather than an invitation.
Either way, the entire process will inevitably involve a fair measure of anxiety and fear, alongside excitement and a whole host of questions and legitimate concerns. For a successful relocation, it is critical for employers to get things right from the beginning, which is why many choose to utilise employee relocation services, with experts on hand to advise at all stages and help things run as smoothly as possible.
Key tips for successful employee relocation
Preparing before the move
Advance notice
Employees should always have time to opt for a job with another company if they do not want to relocate or to prepare for the move itself. Overseas postings will raise issues about schooling, housing and family connections which need resolving before a successful move can happen.
Provide detailed information
Overseas relocations are more successful when employees have had the chance to learn about their intended new location. Make use of various media forms such as Facebook groups, YouTube videos, photographs and travelogues to get both written and visual information on the landscape, food, housing, weather, dress sense, local schools and more. If possible try making a short visit before the actual move date as this is a rare but valuable opportunity to really get a feel for a place.
Learning the language and settling in
Language learning
Ideally, employees would have the chance to at least get familiar with the basics of a new language, or brush up on any latent skills from their schoolday learning. At the very least, there should be a clear plan for language lessons in place once the relocation is complete.
Support on arrival in new location
Dedicated staff with experience in helping new arrivals settle into a new country, as well as guiding and supporting them through processes such as house hunting and buying a car, are vital – http://www.jobacle.com/blog/how-to-make-employee-relocation-a-smooth-process.html. Many businesses choose to use a specialist company such as http://www.dtmoving.com/relocation-services to deal with this area.
Although relocating is a major move for both employee and employer, with the right approach to the process there’s no need to assume it will be terribly stressful.
Summary
This article gives tips for successful employee relocation to an overseas office, covering giving staff advance notice so they can consider schooling, housing and family issues, providing detailed information about the new location through media such as videos and travelogues, offering language lessons before and after the move, and providing dedicated support with practical matters like house hunting once employees arrive.
Questions this article raises
- How far in advance should a company typically give notice of relocation?
- What language proficiency level should employees reach before relocating?
- How do relocation support services compare in cost between providers?
