Here are some tips to help ease in newly relocated employees
When hiring new employees, it’s important to provide in-depth orientation programs for new hires so they can be onboarded efficiently. This is also important to consider when team members are relocated to a different site, especially if this involves a significant upheaval in their living circumstances.
To that end, here are some tips to follow to build a relocation-focused orientation program that works.
Aligning the Program with Company Culture and Values
One of the essential aspects of crafting an effective relocation orientation program is ensuring that it aligns seamlessly with your organization’s core values and distinctive company culture. This helps relocated employees quickly understand what defines their new work environment, facilitating a smooth transition into their roles.
To achieve this alignment, feature stories that showcase company traditions or events that exemplify your business ethos in written materials and multimedia presentations throughout the orientation process. Encourage participation from existing employees to share anecdotes about memorable experiences at work reflecting vital cultural elements, such as teamwork, innovation, or community engagement.
Moreover, provide clear guidelines on expected workplace behaviors while highlighting how they stem from foundational beliefs driving overall company objectives. Incorporating these cultural insights into every aspect of your relocation orientation program promotes faster integration and fosters more substantial commitment and loyalty among newcomers.
Leveraging Orientation Videos for Engaging Transitions
A well-produced and engaging orientation video is crucial to kickstart your employee relocation program. To create an impactful video, start by outlining the essential information that newly relocated employees need, such as company policies, support resources, documentation assistance, and brief introductions to coworkers or teams they will be working with.
To make the experience more enjoyable for employees while conveying important messages effectively, incorporate high-quality visuals and animations that capture their attention.
Additionally, consider adding soothing background music to establish a relaxed atmosphere during this potentially overwhelming time in their lives. Some sources allow you to download royalty-free tunes perfectly suited for setting the desired ambiance within your orientation materials.
By combining valuable content with visually appealing presentations accompanied by pleasing sounds, you’ll lay a solid groundwork to set newcomers at ease, ultimately contributing to successful talent integration.
Facilitating Smooth Integration: Socializing & Networking Activities
While providing essential relocation information and resources is crucial, addressing the human aspect of moving also plays a vital role in successful employee transitions. Arranging socializing and networking events within your program can significantly aid newcomers’ ease into their new surroundings while making valuable personal and professional connections with colleagues.
Organize informal gatherings like team lunches or after-work outings to help break the ice between relocated employees and their co-workers. Such activities create opportunities for authentic interactions away from workplace pressures. Consider holding optional workshops focusing on common hobbies or sports so that employees bond over shared interests, which is an approach that naturally fosters camaraderie.
Additionally, arrange sessions where newcomers interact with representatives from different departments or divisions, illustrating cross-functional teamwork’s importance in achieving company objectives. By offering varied opportunities for interpersonal connection within the relocation orientation program, you’ll effectively pave the way toward mutual understanding among peers, thus establishing an inclusive environment primed for sustained collaboration and success.
Providing Comprehensive Information on Local Living Essentials
An effective relocation orientation program thoroughly addresses newcomers’ basic needs and concerns, helping them navigate the essentials of day-to-day life in their new location. Providing a guide, either in physical or digital form, can significantly relieve stress by offering ample resources for employees to settle into their new surroundings more comfortably.
Some essential contents to include within this guide may be:
- Housing options: Advice on local neighborhoods that cater to different lifestyles and budgets and opportunities for temporary housing as needed.
- Transportation: Information about public transport networks, parking facilities, or green commuting initiatives (if applicable).
- Healthcare services: Details regarding nearby medical centers, hospitals, or pharmacies.
- Childcare and schooling options: Insight on finding suitable schools, daycare centers, or student-support programs.
- Grocery stores & dining spots: Recommendations for sourcing daily provisions from supermarkets and favorite restaurants within various budgets.
Setting Up Continuous Feedback Channels to Improve Relocation Experiences
To continually refine and enhance your relocation orientation program, establish open lines of communication for soliciting feedback from employees who have experienced the process firsthand.
Encourage honest responses via anonymous surveys or designated human resource personnel. Also, assess received feedback periodically to identify improvement areas, adjusting as needed within subsequent rollouts.
Ask Us for More Advice on Relocation Services
Now that you know what’s involved, you can start crafting your effective relocation orientation program today. Incorporating these eight essential elements ease employees’ transitions and creates a thriving and inclusive work environment. Enhancing the employee experience by developing a comprehensive support system that paves the way for success will pay dividends for individuals and the business.
If you need more information about employee relocation, contact us today. Global Mobility Solutions (GMS) has led the talent mobility industry since 1987; we utilize up-to-date relocation technology and an award-winning team of global mobility experts.
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Christina Urrutia
Christina oversees Global Business Development for LATAM markets. Christina brings with her over 15 years of experience in helping clients build mobility solutions in a variety of roles such as Relocation Counselor, VP of Global Sales, Manager of Business Development and Strategic Partnership Manager. Christina holds key industry certifications including Global Mobility Specialist with a talent accreditation (GMS-T) and Certified Relocation Professional (CRP) designation from Worldwide ERC. She also holds a 120-hour English as a second language teaching certification (TESOL) and has completed over 400 class hours helping students achieve their fluency goals. Christina’s passion for Duty of Care and Employee Wellbeing has led to countless speaking engagements within the industry and has fueled her own networking group, Women of Global Mobility to inspire and encourage the growth of Women within the industry.
