During Atlas' 52nd Annual Corporate Relocation Survey, our insights indicated a shift in employee acceptance of relocation opportunities. Companies are coping with increased instances of employee's declining moves, citing various personal and professional considerations.
This trend provides critical knowledge for businesses aiming to better understand and address the challenges associated with employee relocations.
Declining vs. Accepting Relocation
- 6 out of 10 firms observed employees declining relocation last year.
- 26% of surveyed companies noted an increase in relocation rejections from the previous year.
Top Three Reasons Why Employees Declined Relocation in 2018
- Family issues or ties (58%)
- Spouse's or partner's employment (53%)
- Housing or mortgage concerns (23%)
Considerations and Reluctance of Employee Relocations
- Factors like caregiving responsibilities for a parent or child impacted this decision.
- Employee level influences the type of assistance offered, with more support typically given to mid-level and executive/top-level employees.
Spouse and Partner Employment Assistance
- 69% of international firms and 61% of overall firms offer assistance.
Homeowner and Renter Assistance by Employee Level
- Homefinding trips, reimbursement for home sale costs, and temporary housing allowances are some of the common types of assistance provided.
- Assistance is more commonly offered for mid-level and executive/top-level than entry-level positions.
Incentives Offered by Companies
- 63% of firms offer relocation or sign-on bonuses.
- 49% offer extended temporary housing benefits and COLAs (Cost of Living Adjustments) in salary at a new location.
- 9 out of 10 firms report that incentives work almost always or frequently.