What You Have to Know When You Are Facing a Job Relocation

Job relocation is an increasing reality for many within the workforce. This relocation is because companies are doing all they can to ensure that they attract the best talent and spread out this talent across their various locations. Therefore, it is likely that your employer will, in time, ask you to move for your job. However, before you sign above the dotted line, here is a complete guide of what you need to know when facing a job relocation.

What is a job relocation?

Simply put, a job relocation is where your employee requires you to move to another town, state, or country to work at one of their other locations. Some reasons for relocating staff include a promotion, replacement of staff, or sharing expertise and skilled staff members.

How To Prepare For A Job Relocation

After receiving a relocation request, here are some important considerations you may need to make:

Your relocation package

First and foremost, get to know from your employers the services and funds they will offer to aid your move to the potential job location. It is better to negotiate your relocation package before you accept to move. This way, you will have a better position to ensure you negotiate for and get a fair deal.

However, a relocation package is not a law requirement, and your employer is at liberty to decide whether to afford you a relocation package.

Your new office

As far as is possible, try to visit your new office before your move, and if possible more than once. Visiting the offices will help you get a feel for your new workplace environment. You may also use the time to explore the new city or country and identify the adjustments you will need to make. Are you unable to visit the new location beforehand? Research expatriate forums online, government websites, tourist webpages, blogs, and online newspapers to learn about the region.

Your coworkers

To make your move as easy as possible, meet up with the other employees from the new job. Your new coworkers will probably have a wealth of information you could use to avoid unpleasant surprises. For instance, they may know where you can find affordable yet secure housing options, the fastest commuter services, and good schools for your children.

The cost of living

It is also vital to determine the cost of living in the new location against your salary. For instance, if the rental fees, taxes, transportation, restaurants, and other expenses are considerably higher than in your current location, this should reflect in a higher salary offer.

Forwarding address

Ensure you leave a forwarding address for any mail that may arrive once you have moved. A host of important mail usually accompanies the process of relocation. You cannot afford to lose this mail.

Move-in before starting work

In most cases, your employer will prefer that you work right from when you move to the new location. They, therefore, might pay for hotel accommodation for a time after which they expect you to have found a suitable place to live. However, move into your new home before you commence your job as you might not have sufficient time to look for what you need. Moving into your home will give you more time to settle down and organize your affairs.

Keep in mind the time it will take you to commute to your place of work, access to excellent schools for your children, and the availability of local amenities.

Be efficient and organized

Moving from one place to another involves several complex logistics that all need addressing simultaneously or within a short time. For instance, you will need to sell your existing home, pack and ship your belongings, move your family and find a new home almost all at once. 

If you are married, you may need to keep in mind the needs of your spouse and children. Your spouse may need to find a new job. You may need to work out changing your children from one school to another.

The more organized you are, the better you will keep track of your progress and overcome obstacles.

Document your moving expenses

Is your employer offering to offset your moving costs, or do you know of a government deduction for job relocation? Then, you will require all legal receipts for all the moving expenses you will incur as you move. Therefore, as hectic as moving may be, diligently ask for and save all receipts and your travel expenses, rental trucks, moving supplies, etc.

Find out the new tax laws that apply

Tax laws vary from one state, city, or country. Therefore, research beforehand the applicable taxes that will affect your earnings.

You may also find that you are eligible for tax deductions or partial reimbursement of your moving expenses. In most states, you qualify for a government reimbursement if you meet the following specifications:

• You are moving because of your job

• The new location is over 50 miles away from your current job and home

• You have worked full-time for over 39 weeks for any employer and over 78 weeks for the self-employed.

Also, don't forget about all the documents regarding redundancy: redundancy protection, redundancy payment, redundancy pay, etc.

Budget for the move

Whether your employer will offer a relocation package, it is crucial to consider other costs such as repairing your old home to be put on the market, transportation rates of the different moving companies, and the cost of a new home or apartment.

International Relocation

A job relocation that takes you from one country or continent to another is an international relocation. Most of the points mentioned before still apply. However, there are additional requirements you may need to meet:

Visas: Any lengthy stay in a foreign country will require that you have an accompanying permit that allows you to stay in that country, depending on the reason for staying within that country. For instance, if your job relocation takes you to Spain, the regulations require you to apply for a lucrative work visa. However, others who may travel with you, such as your spouse, will need to apply for a non-lucrative visa.

Your employer should, in most cases, be able to help you secure a visa and cover any associated costs.

Time to adjust

Moving to a foreign country will require a more intensive change than moving to another state or city within the same country. You and your loved ones will experience new culture, laws, environment, and probably even a new language. Until you can learn the language, you may need to enlist translation services to get your work done. Your employer should note these additional costs when negotiating your relocation package.

Higher Moving Expenses

Moving from one country to another will, in most cases, be substantially more expensive than a domestic relocation. The most expensive cost might be the high cost of transportation for the longer distances traveled. 

Translation

The translation is a vital part of the relocation process. It can be used to translate documents and files, as well as for communication between the employee and their new employers.

When relocating for work, it is important to ensure that you are well prepared for your new life in your new country. This includes ensuring that all of your paperwork is in order, including your visa and work permit, as well as ensuring that you have all of the necessary documents to support your move.

It is also important to understand any differences between the cultures of your home country and your destination country, as these may affect both how you operate at work, and how others perceive you. For example, in some countries, it is considered rude to talk about money or ask questions about salaries or benefits during interviews or job offers; while in other countries it is considered polite to do so.

If English isn't spoken widely where you are moving to, then translation services may be required so that you can effectively translate all the documentation so that your arrival will be as smooth as possible

Conclusion

While a job relocation may be a lot to take on, it is not impossible. Millions of employees move yearly from one location to another and live to tell the story. All you need is to do your due diligence and put in the extra leg work required, and you will be at home in your new location in no time.