Moving For Work? Here’s What to Look For in an Employer Relocation Package
Imagine this scenario. You get called into your boss’s office, and find out that the company would like to transfer you to another site, in a different city.
If your company is willing to relocate you, that means they consider you top talent. They may even consider you irreplaceable. They’re giving you incentive to accept the job offer because they think you’d do well in the new position. Typically, the move should come with assistance in the form of a relocation package.
The Basics
In general, an employer relocation package will kick in when a company asks an employee to move 50 miles or further from their current location. The package will include moving and work-related expenses.
These should be reasonable. For example, if your family decides to stop at an amusement park on the road trip to your new place, don’t expect the company to pay for that. However, you can expect them to pay your mileage between your old and new home, for meals, and for necessary hotel stays.
If you need to take an airplane, your tickets and meals will be covered, as well as transportation to and from the airport. Also, the company should pay to have your car or cars shipped to your new location.Full Moving Services
When we say that the package should pay for your move, we mean it. Typically, this includes full moving services. That means a moving company will pack all your belongings at your old home, then deliver then and unpack them for you in your new home. It also includes insurance coverage for the total value of all your belongings.
House Help
If you own your home, the package should include assistance selling it for fair market value. So, if you have to make a quick, and low, sale, your company should reimburse you for the value lost. They can also help list your home with a professional retailer.
If you rent and have to break your lease, your moving package should pay any fines or fees.
An Early Trip or Two
Moving means looking at new places. If you’re going to buy a new home where you’re moving to, you’ll definitely want to look through several places before picking one to make an offer on. If you’re going to rent, you’ll want to look at a variety of possible homes before putting in an application.
Your moving package should include mileage, hotel stay, and meals for one or two house-hunting trips. If you have kids, it should also pay for child care during these trips.
Temporary Housing
If you aren’t able to find a new place by the time you need to be living and working in your new city, the package should pay for 30 days of temporary housing.
Miscellaneous Expenses
A variety of other expenses should also be included. If there’s something you expect to see covered that isn’t listed in your contract, bring it up with your company. You may have a special situation that requires an expense that most people don’t have.
Typical miscellaneous expenses covered include the cost of changing your driver’s license, registering your pets in a new state, cleaning the old and new homes, hooking up utilities, cost associated with looking for new schools for your children, and the cost of moving elderly family members, either to your new home, or to an elder care facility close to you. It should also include assistance for your spouse to find a new job.
Now, whether you’ve already been offered a job and a relocation package, or you expect one sometime in the future, you now know what to look for. Make sure it will work for you and your family, and have a great move.
