Can Companies Relocate You to a New Location? - An Expert's Guide

Relocating to a new location can be a daunting prospect, especially if you don't have the contractual right to do so. But, with the right knowledge and preparation, it can be a smooth and successful transition. In this article, we'll explore the ins and outs of company relocation, from the legalities to the financial benefits.

Can Companies Relocate You to a New Location?

If your employer doesn't have the contractual right to move you, they can still make changes to your employment by giving you reasonable notice of the change.

This includes changes to your location. For example, if you have worked in a company for five years and you want to move but have no contractual right to do so, they may give you reasonable notice of the relocation, usually five to eight months depending on the characteristics of your employment. The period of notice required before the relocation would be equal to the contractual amount required for the termination or to the reasonable notice period if the contract does not establish the required notice. Research has also found that “small and medium-sized companies tend to relocate their employees more often than larger companies.

Companies must be proactive after the move to ensure that staff adapts to their new environment.

What is an Employee Relocation Package?

An employee relocation package is a financial benefit that companies offer to help new and current employees move from one place to another because the job requires it. Moving is expensive, so companies can help employees by offering them some financial reimbursement for expenses such as moving services, moving company insurance, or transportation. In many cases, companies can make relocation attractive by covering the costs associated with buying or selling the employee's home.

If the employee needs to start before a specific date, companies may consider providing or financing temporary housing. By working with new employees from the start, companies establish a more realistic time frame for the move and can take the first steps to create a good working relationship. While most companies have a certain relocation package at the time they make an offer, employees may have individual needs or requests to make the move as simple as possible. As an additional incentive for relocation, some companies offer wage adjustments or proportional relocation bonuses to help cover the difference.

Relocating for work can be an exciting opportunity for growth and development. With proper planning and understanding of your rights and responsibilities as an employee, you can make sure that your transition is as smooth as possible.

Lewis Seltzer
Lewis Seltzer

Unapologetic twitter nerd. Travel enthusiast. Lifelong beer expert. Amateur travel scholar. Incurable bacon aficionado. Professional tv advocate.