04 May 4  Things to Remember When Relocating a Regional Assignee

Your assignee may have been recruited from another state, and not another country.  Still, there are important things you should remember once you start the process of actually relocating him from one region to another.  These things go well beyond telling your assignee about the weather, the culture, and the politics of his new environment—and chances are, he could have done an internet search on them immediately after he signed his contract.

And it seems like relocation has become a part of the modern American lifestyle.  The reasons are varied:  jobs, family, housing conditions, etc.  But one thing is certain:  there has been a lot of movement the past years. According to the United States Census Bureau, about 36 million people in the United States relocated to a different residence from 2012-2013.

However, there are 4 things that you must closely coordinate with your assignee.  Don’t leave a stone unturned or take them for granted.  Make sure that you are thorough and detailed in your preparations to effect a smooth, trouble-free transition with your assignee. If you need assistance with relocation, a few of the established companies in our area are Ace Relocation, Graebel Van Lines and S&M Moving Systems.

1. The relocation process must be swift, efficient, and planned.  

   Even though the chances are high that the company has paid for the actual physical transport of the assignee’s possessions to his new residence, you still must brief him on the details.  Actual date and time of departure, actual date and time of arrival, the kind of vehicle that will be used for transportation, personnel or helpers who can help them with the loading and unloading of items, and the current condition of the condo or home he will be transferring to—your assignee must be informed about all these things.  Remember that he is still adjusting to the idea of relocation, which can in itself be an emotional journey.  No matter how slight, surprises can make that trip a bit jarring.  You want your assignee at peace with himself and the process, and not popping many questions.

2. Introduce the world of taxes.  

   States vary when it comes to tax laws which in turn cover a lot of areas ranging. from income to property.  This in turn covers from income to property. So make sure your assignee is well-informed about the taxes he will pay in his new state, and how these may affect his take-home pay.

3. Manage the cost of living.  

   Again, the cost of commodities, cab fares, school fees, food items, and any other product or service you can think of buying can vary in each state. Your assignee must just think of his promotion and sizeable paycheck, without double-checking how his current lifestyle will impact his own personal financial bottom line now that he has moved to a  new region.  You might have to give him a checklist of the cost of living in his new state, just to help him manage expectations.

4. Walk him through neighborhood rules and city zones.  

   Again, walk him through his new home and the environment using a map.  Point out important landmarks like school zones, hospitals, family parks, and tech hubs. Acquaint him with the rules and ordinances that affect each zone, if any.  Do this prior to his actual physical relocation.  Repeat it after he has moved in, but this time in real-life, e.g. taking him on a tour of the place.