Learn why it’s essential to work with an RMC every step of the way
Employers should engage their Relocation Management Company (RMC) early in the relocation process. Employers often go to great lengths to define the questions they ask RMCs in their Request for Proposals. Several employees from departments including Human Resources, Accounting, Legal, and Procurement may spend a significant amount of time finding and selecting an RMC with the knowledge and experience that will ultimately serve the needs of the company, transferees, and new hires.
With all of the effort to find an RMC that best matches their requirements, wouldn’t you think employers would actively engage the RMC in their relocation process? Most companies do a good job communicating to their hiring managers and others throughout the organization how to utilize their RMC’s resources. However, even with this communication, the hiring manager or others sometimes do not engage the RMC early in the process. This may lead to several consequences for transferees and new hires.
Actual Case of an Employer That Did Not Engage Early
What happens when employers must engage their RMC early in the relocation process? Global Mobility Solutions’ Senior Vice President of Business Development, Sam Hoey, met a transferee and heard a first-hand account of their experience. Their employer’s hiring manager did not initiate their relocation process promptly, and they were left scrambling to find their own movers, real estate agents, mortgage provider, and temporary housing, all within just a few weeks before the new job start date. As a result, the transferee was stressed and unduly burdened by processes that the company’s RMC could have managed for them with greater ease. Let’s look at a few of these areas in detail to understand better what they entail.
Van Line Delays
The busiest time of the year for relocations is during the summer months. Children are out of school, travel is relatively easy to arrange, and weather delays are minimal. As a result, van lines that move household goods are often hectic during this time. They may have bookings for moves going out four, five, or up to six weeks in advance.
Employers looking to relocate an employee should understand the length of time their RMC needs to arrange to book a move of household goods at van lines, keeping in mind the preferred van lines may already have several weeks of booked moves on their schedules. With enough time, transferees may be able to find their household goods movers.
Real Estate Processes
When a transferee or a new hire receives notice of a job offer that requires them to start work within a few weeks, this gives them little time to make living arrangements. They may have a short time to determine how to proceed in several areas. Here is a list of just a few of the specific points they might need to address before starting their new position:
Specific Points
- Engaging a real estate agent/company to handle a home sale
- Selling a home
- Handling the closing process for the home sale
- Finding temporary housing
- Engaging a real estate agent/company to handle a home purchase
- Finding a new home
- Obtaining a mortgage, including applications and paperwork
- Handling the closing process for the home purchase
If you have ever bought or sold a home, had to find an apartment, or sought a mortgage, think of those processes. How long did they take you to complete? These processes often require several steps, including applications, reports, inspections, financial transactions, arranging the services of a notary public, and research to verify the new location meets the needs of everyone who is relocating, such as spouses, partners, children, and pets.
Employers looking to relocate an employee should be aware of the processes their RMC needs to manage to help the employee find suitable housing arrangements. RMCs with experience in these processes are vital to ensuring the success of a relocation, as they help the transferee or new hire in many areas. This, in turn, helps the employee feel happy and confident in their choice to relocate.
What should employers do?
Employers should review their relocation programs to better integrate their RMC into the front end of the relocation process. Helpful tips to ensure the RMC is engaged early in the process include the following:
- Implement Pre-Decision Services, so the employer, hiring manager, transferee, and/or new hire are actively engaged with the RMC early in the relocation process, and information can be shared that is helpful to the employee, the employer, and the RMC.
- Insert language into offer letters describing the RMC and the programs specific to the transferee or new hire.
- Integrate the RMC into Human Resource Information Systems and Talent Management Programs so hiring managers and program administrators always have ready access to information they can share with the transferee or new hire.
Conclusion
GMS’ team of corporate relocation experts has helped thousands of our clients develop relocation programs that attract and retain qualified employees. Our team can help your company by using industry best practices to design your relocation program so that you engage your RMC early in the relocation process.
GMS was the first relocation company to register as a “.com.” The company also created the first online interactive tools and calculators, revolutionizing the relocation industry. GMS continues to set the industry pace as the pioneer in innovation and technology solutions with its proprietary MyRelocation® technology platform.
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Kimberly Chacon
I’m Kimberly Chacon. I am the senior business development manager at GMS. I have been with GMS for five-plus years and have six years of relocation experience. I am a relocation specialist who loves assisting clients in creating comprehensive employee relocation policies. I am CRP certified and understand first-hand that not all companies have the exact needs when it comes to relocation needs, which is why I am here to be the first in line to listen to your wants and needs and then help you create the best relocation package for your employees.
