How to support employees relocating with families

Recent research found that one of the top reasons (51%) employees decline a relocation is family issues and ties. 

Moving to a new city is daunting at the best of times - but when it’s for a career opportunity, it can be a difficult decision for employees. Do they miss out on a career-changing opportunity, or do they prioritize keeping family settled? Or - perhaps worse still - do they separate from family to pursue their career?

Whether employees want to relocate or not, uprooting family is a big decision that needs to be carefully considered - and without the proper support in place, there’s plenty of room for things to go wrong. Not only do employees need to physically move their belongings, but a number of other factors need to be considered too - from selling their home, to finding a school for children, to supporting their partner to find a new job. 

For travel managers and HR professionals, relocating employees with families can be challenging. Even with a competitive relocation package in place, extra support is often required and there are things employers can do to ease the pain of relocation. Here are our top tips: 

Include employees and their families in the decision-making process 

Employees and their families should feel included and considered in the decision-making process right from the start. Not only does this set a positive, transparent tone for the relocation, but it gives employees a sense of control - something that’s important in what can feel like an uncontrollable situation at times. 

They will likely have preferences (whether it’s living near a certain school or favoring a particular neighborhood) and it’s important to show that the company has taken these into account when organizing the relocation. Provide employees and their families with all of the information first-hand and allow them to ask questions and express any concerns - there will likely be many. 

Give them choice, options and flexibility 

With the above in mind, give employees and their families choice and options. 

It’s not uncommon for families to stay in employee accommodation while they search for a more permanent property - rather than selecting accommodation for them, let them choose. It’s far easier to get children on board with a move if they get to choose their new bedroom, or a partner is able to select an area they can see themselves working in. 

Using a booking platform like 3Sixty, employees can browse through a vetted list of compliant housing options that meet their needs - but meet yours too. Factors including safety, security, financial health, and business practices are all taken into consideration, so employees can book accommodations with peace of mind.

Provide practical support 

Employee relocation is more than just finding accommodation; for a smooth, stress-free move, employees need to feel supported end-to-end - and employers should look to take care of practical challenges where possible, rather than leaving it to employees. Common challenges include:

• Obtaining the correct visas

• Selecting schools

• Selling a property

• Moving furniture, possessions and belongings

• Buying or renting a new permanent home 

• Finding suitable employment for a spouse or partner

While some of these challenges may be covered in the relocation package, it pays to go the extra mile and provide support in all areas. Your employees will certainly thank you for it, and taking care of these challenges will only ensure your employees settle quicker and are ready to get stuck into work. 

Ensure employees have access to mental health support 

Moving can be stressful - in fact, it’s been dubbed one of the most stressful life events in many research reports. With this in mind, HR practitioners and travel managers must consider the emotional challenges associated with moving too. Crafting a relocation and employee wellness program that offers advice, resources and support is key. 

As well as taking the time to listen to any concerns and queries, let your employees know there is support in place for their mental health too. This may be in the form of a dedicated mental health expert to talk to or resources to help guide their children through the moving process (this is often a very tricky time for them, too). 

Feelings of loneliness and isolation are common; to that end, employers can help employees and their families feel more at home by linking them to local groups, introducing them to colleagues, and simply giving them room and time to adjust to their new surroundings. Due to fatigue, anxiety and general moving stress, it’s always worth giving employees some time off to settle in and spend time with their family in their new location. 

Key takeaway

Uprooting family and moving somewhere new is a daunting process, so it’s crucial to ensure employees and their families have proper support in place. From mental health support to practical assistance, employers should look to go the extra mile in order to make a relocation as painless as possible for employees. 

3Sixty

3Sixty, the business travel industry’s most secure and intuitive accommodation platform, helps employees to book and manage their stay in over one million quality, cost-effective rooms and properties around the world. Every 10 days, we sweep our supply chain (of more than a million global options) for red flags on safety, security, financial health, and business practices—so you can book accommodations with peace of mind.