Relocating for a job can be an exciting opportunity, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. As mobility professionals, we know better than anyone that without adequate support, the move process can significantly impact an employee’s productivity and well-being (and not in a good way). So, when our advisory team received this question from a client, we couldn’t wait to dive in and uncover the figures behind what we’ve long known to be true: well-structured mobility programs benefit employees AND the broader business.
“How many hours does a typical move take away from an employee’s productivity? Is there a firm number of hours we can estimate?”
While this is a great question, there’s not a lot of data to give us a definitive answer. That’s because the number of hours varies substantially from individual to individual. Different employees will have unique personal needs and professional demands that factor into how much time the relocation process will consume. However, productivity loss can generally range from a few days to weeks.
Our focus groups for clients have shown employees reporting they lost 20-30 hours of productivity; again, this is highly subjective as it ranges from renter, homeowner, and lump sum programs. From an Advisory perspective, we recommend looking at your own population and not against others, and refining the results by move or employee to tell a more meaningful story.
In most cases, the amount of time is highly dependent on three factors:
- Move Complexity: In most cases, a domestic move eats up less time than an international assignment, and much of this is due to the inherent complexity involved. The variation in departure and destination locations, whether or not the employee is renting or buying, and the size of the family and the type of dwelling they are looking for will all play a part in the time consumed by the move.
- Employee (and family) level of reluctance and adaptability to the move: Factors that directly correlate with the number of hours include whether the relocating family is flexible about the housing options available in the new location and whether or not there are special needs of family members that need to be addressed, such as education or eldercare.
- Relocation Assistance: Everything from the type of relocation program to the benefits provided and the level of service delivered will directly impact the time the employee has to invest in their move and transition. These benefits often include services such as professional moving assistance, temporary housing, and help finding a new home or schooling for accompanying family members; having these resources available allows employees to focus more on their work and less on the logistical challenges of moving. Additionally, the support of a relocation counselor in planning and scheduling each of these benefits helps to streamline the entire process, making it significantly more efficient and less stressful for the relocating family. A smoother process allows for a faster settling-in period, empowering the employee to be more productive sooner.
Also, consider that the time that the employee spends on the move will fluctuate with more time spent on certain milestones:
- Preparation and Packing: Employees might spend several hours to a few days packing their personal and work-related items. This can take away from their regular work hours.
- Moving Day: The actual moving day can be highly disruptive. Depending on the distance and complexity of the move, employees might need to take an entire day off or more.
- Settling In: Once moved, employees often need additional time to set up their new workspace, which can take a few hours to a couple of days.
- Adjustment Period: There is also an adjustment period where employees get accustomed to their new environment, which can affect productivity for a week or more.
Aside from these periods, the employee needs to spend time answering questions throughout the move, choosing benefits, reimbursing expenses, and remaining engaged in making decisions. Clear communication methods and expectations set by the Counselor can significantly expedite the flow of information. Advances in accessing information and the ability to easily reach out to the Counselor for assistance also play a crucial role in this process.
Considering the three factors mentioned above, we, as the RMC, have the most significant impact on Relocation Assistance, specifically factor #3. Our ability to connect employees with top-tier, highly-vetted third-party providers for each benefit is just the beginning. And by facilitating and managing the communication between all providers through Weichert Go, our counselors help to limit any hiccups that can stretch the transition time. Our account team personnel also bring invaluable expertise to ensure that the benefits provided are the perfect fit for the relocating talent we support.
In an industry where personalization is closely tied to employee success, we prioritize responsive service, seamless connections, and innovative tools so employees are always in control but never alone!
The bottom line? When employees feel supported, they are free to focus more on their work and less on the logistics of the move. Investing in the right relocation support is not just a nice-to-have; it’s a necessity. It ensures that employees remain productive, reduces stress, and ultimately saves the company money in the long run.
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