Moving can be stressful…
But if you’re doing it for a job, you might find that all the house hunting, packing, and heavy lifting is totally worthwhile – whether you’re moving with your current company or relocating for a brand new role somewhere else. But how does it all work?
To make sure you make the right decision, here’s everything you need to know about relocating for work:
What is relocation?
Relocation is when someone moves to a new area for work.
It could be an employer’s decision (e.g. if their company was moving) to ask their team to relocate, or the employee could choose to relocate on their own – whether it’s to work at another part of the business, or to find a new job somewhere else.
What happens if my employer asks me to relocate?
Whether you have to agree to relocate to will depend on the terms of your contract.
If it includes a ‘mobility clause’, you’ll be required to move to wherever your employer asks you to – as long as it’s within the limits specified, and the request is reasonable (e.g. you’re given a fair amount of notice).
If your contract doesn’t include a ‘mobility clause’, you’ll be able to make the decision to stay – but this may involve changing jobs, resigning, or even redundancy.
What happens if I refuse to relocate?
If you decide against relocation, you may face the possibility of being made redundant.
Whether you’re eligible for redundancy will depend on a number of factors, including how long you’ve worked for your employer, and whether you’ve unreasonably refused a suitable alternative offer of work or compensation.
If the refusal is reasonable (e.g. it involves a difficult journey or affects your children’s education), you should still have the right to redundancy pay.
What do I need to consider before I relocate?
Relocating for work can be a big upheaval, meaning it’s absolutely vital to consider all factors before you make a decision.
Not only does relocating create a big change for your work life, it also affects everything else.
Here are a few questions to ask yourself:
- Is the new job something I’ll enjoy?
- Will the relocation offer new opportunities to progress in my career?
- Is there appropriate/affordable housing in the area?
- How long will the commute be?
- What are the pros and cons of relocating?
- Is the new location suitable for my family?
- Will I like living in the new place?
Will my employer help me relocate?
If you’ve been asked to relocate, you might be able to negotiate a relocation package with your employer.
What’s available will depend on the size of the organisation, and although they don’t have to provide any compensation (unless it’s specified in your contract), they may assist with things like:
- Moving costs
- Legal fees
- Travel costs
- Temporary accommodation costs
To find out what your company offers, ask your HR team about relocation policies as soon as the possibility of a move comes up.
Questions to ask your employer before relocating
What will my new salary be? Depending on where you’re relocating to, your pay might decrease or increase – which could make a huge impact on your overall decision.
Will my position change? Finding out about what your new position entails is key if you want to ensure your career is on the right track. If relocating involves a change in duties or responsibilities, it’s important to determine whether this affects your status and/or progression opportunities.
Will you cover the cost of relocating? Gaining financial assistance from your employer will make the move less stressful. Although this won’t always be an option, asking about potential benefits is a great way to figure out where you stand.
How to write your CV for relocation
If you’ve decided to relocate for a new job, it’s vital to make it clear in your CV.
That way, prospective employers will be aware of your situation, and can factor in your willingness to relocate. If you don’t mention it, they may just assume you live too far away to be a suitable candidate.
Here are a few things you should do:
- Mention it in your personal statement – whether it’s that you’re available to relocate to anywhere, or you’re searching for a position in a specific area.
- Elaborate in your cover letter – it could be that you’re returning to your hometown, you’re targeting a specific location, or you’re open to a wide range of areas. Make your situation clear in your cover letter, mentioning any potential moving dates.
- Share your availability. Employers will be looking for candidates who are available to interview – so it’s vital to let them know you’re able to travel (whether it’s anytime or you have set dates you’ll be in the area).
Relocation tips
Here are a few of our top tips to make sure relocating for work goes as smoothly as possible:
- Do your research. Whether it’s through searching online or asking friends – checking what your new town/city is going to be like is an important part of relocating. Aspects like transport links, local amenities, schools, and cost of living are all vital to consider.
- Actually visit. Looking up the above is a good start, but you won’t be able to get a feel of the area until you actually go there – more than once. Some companies will subsidise travel costs for visits like these, so check to see if this is an option beforehand.
- Consider commuting. If you’ve been asked to relocate somewhere within a commutable distance of your current home, ask yourself whether you’d rather travel or move to a new town – considering all the relevant factors (e.g. costs, travel times).
- Have a plan B. There’s always a possibility that relocating won’t work out the way you’d hoped – meaning having a solid back-up plan is key. Consider alternative work options, whether you could return home, and who’s nearby to help you out if you needed it.
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