5 Employee Relocation Tips

In today’s business world, moving employees abroad to international offices is becoming more common than ever before. During an international employee relocation, the employee’s contract must reflect new expectations in his or her role overseas as well as any changes in salary, benefits, team members, and managers. Hall-Lane Moving & Storage has assisted many employees in relocating overseas and recommends the tips listed below for any employee looking to move to a different country:

5 Tips for Employee Relocation

1.       Be Sure You are the Right Employee

Employee relocation is a major commitment. It’s important to understand that not every employee will thrive abroad. If you are selected to work overseas, be sure to consider your personality, lifestyle, strengths, and weaknesses. Employees that enjoy experiencing new cultures, have no problem adapting to a new environment, and don’t view this type of move as a detriment to their personal life are the types of employees that will do well living and working abroad. If you have a family or find it tough to adjust to new environments, you will probably have a difficult time living and working in another country.

2.       Make Sure Your Passport is Valid

Prior to moving abroad, you must take a look at your passport to determine if it will be valid throughout the whole duration of your stay overseas. If you do not have a passport, you will have to get one several months prior to your moving date.

3.       Opt for Vaccinations

Your personal health should be a priority when moving internationally. Before your move, visit your physician for a thorough check-up and discuss any vaccinations that may be necessary. If you take certain medications, talk to your doctor about how to go about obtaining them while you are living in another country.

4.       Seek Language and Cultural Training

Ask your employer about opportunities for language and culture training so that you can become familiar with the new language and cultural differences in the country you will be moving to. Familiarizing yourself with what you can expect when you move will help avoid culture shock and ensure a more seamless transition. Planning a pre-move trip prior to an employee relocation is a great way to do this!

5.       Make Sure the Offer is Enticing

Leaving your current life to live and work in another country is a drastic lifestyle change. That being said, it’s vital to make sure the offer your receive to move internationally is enticing enough to actually make the move. Be sure to understand all of the details of the relocation package and consider pay increases, bonuses, housing costs, tax assistance, transportation, personal security, and anything else that may affect your new life abroad.