Corporate Moving Services and Relocating Employees
The decision to ask an employee to relocate for his or her job is not an easy one. The employee must also make a difficult choice to move to a new city or even country for work. Despite this, there are some steps that can make the process easier. Read on for tips on relocating employees with a minimum of hassle.
Find a Reputable Moving Company
In order to make the idea of moving more appealing to employees, the employer must cover the cost of relocating. That is why it is so important to find a reliable moving company with an excellent reputation for your corporate relocation. You want your employees to be treated with dignity and respect during the process, and you also want to do business with an organization that operates with the highest degree of professionalism.
Looking for a Moving Company, Part I
The first step in finding a reputable moving firm is research. Ask for referrals from other professional contacts. They can be a valuable source of information on which moving companies deserve your business. Also, look at consumer advocacy sites for reports about a business’ shady practices. These sites can give you tips on moving company practices as well.
Another point to check is whether the company has the necessary licenses and insurance. For movers based in the US, visit safersys.org. In Canada, there is no licensing requirement for moving companies, so contact the Better Business Bureau to find out whether there have been complaints lodged against a company.
It is a good sign if a company is a member of a professional association. Membership in these groups is voluntary, and businesses must adhere to a set of standards in order to belong. In Canada, there is the Canadian Association of Movers, and in the US, there is the American Moving and Storage Association. The International Association of Movers is open to members from across the globe.
Looking for a Moving Company, Part II
Once you have found a few moving companies through your professional network, the next step is to get quotes for relocating employees. If a number of employees will be relocating at once, ask about volume discounts.
An added bonus is when the moving company offers to monitor and report on costs so that your business does not exceed its budget.
The Personal Touch
For your employees, relocating involves an enormous amount of upheaval, especially if they have families. Select a moving company with excellent customer service that will answer your and your employees’ questions and provide advice every step of the way. One of the things that will really help both you and your employees is to have a single point of contact. Moving companies that provide dedicated customer service representatives deserve a second look.
Additional Services
Some movers offer more than just relocating services. These companies sell comprehensive packages that provide more than just moving belongings from point A to point B.
Rental Assistance
Rental assistance helps employees find temporary accommodations while they search for a permanent place to live in their new city or country. The moving company teams up with real estate agents for this service.
Language Training
If your employee will be relocating to another country where he or she does not speak the native language, having a language instructor will be very helpful. Language lessons will allow the employee to communicate effectively and will ease the transition. The moving company works with language schools in the country to provide this service.
Family Support
Employees with spouses and children will have the biggest challenge moving to a new city and especially to a different country. If the spouse works outside of the home, he or she will need to find a new job, and if the children are school-aged, their parents need to enroll them in new schools. Family support services find work for spouses and identify educational options for children. These services are provided by a consultant hired by the moving company.
Relocating for work does not need to be a hassle that employees undertake reluctantly. With support from their companies, moving to a new city or country can be an exciting and rewarding adventure.
