Relocation

Relocation is when someone moves to a new area for work.

It could be an employer’s decision (e.g. if their company was moving) to ask their team to relocate, or the employee could choose to relocate on their own – whether it’s to work at another part of the business, or to find a new job somewhere else.

What happens if my employer asks me to relocate?

Whether you have to agree to relocate will depend on the terms of your contract.

If it includes a ‘mobility clause’, you’ll be required to move to wherever your employer asks you to – as long as it’s within the limits specified, and the request is reasonable (e.g. you’re given a fair amount of notice).

If your contract doesn’t include a ‘mobility clause’, you’ll be able to make the decision to stay – but this may involve changing jobs, resigning, or even redundancy.

What happens if I refuse to relocate?

If you decide against relocation, you may face the possibility of being made redundant.

Whether you’re eligible for redundancy will depend on several factors, including how long you’ve worked for your employer, and whether you’ve unreasonably refused a suitable alternative offer of work or compensation.

If the refusal is reasonable (e.g. it involves a difficult journey or affects your children’s education), you should still have the right to redundancy pay.

What do I need to consider before I relocate?

Relocating for work can be a big upheaval, meaning it’s absolutely vital to consider all factors before you make a decision.  

Not only does relocating create a big change for your work life, but it also affects everything else.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

• Is the new job something I’ll enjoy?
• Will the relocation offer new opportunities to progress in my career?
• Is there appropriate/affordable housing in the area?
• How long will the commute be?
• What are the pros and cons of relocating?
• Is the new location suitable for my family?
• Will I like to live in a new place?

Will my employer help me relocate?

If you’ve been asked to relocate, you might be able to negotiate a relocation package with your employer.

What’s available will depend on the size of the organisation, and although they don’t have to provide any compensation (unless it’s specified in your contract), they may assist with things like:

• Moving costs
• Legal fees
• Travel costs
• Temporary accommodation costs

To find out what your company offers, ask your HR team about relocation policies as soon as the possibility of a move comes up.

Questions to ask your employer before relocating

What will my new salary be? Depending on where you’re relocating to, your pay might decrease or increase – which could make a huge impact on your overall decision.

Will my position change? Finding out about what your new position entails is key if you want to ensure your career is on the right track. If relocating involves a change in duties or responsibilities, it’s important to determine whether this affects your status and/or progression opportunities.

Will you cover the cost of relocating? Gaining financial assistance from your employer will make the move less stressful. Although this won’t always be an option, asking about potential benefits is a great way to figure out where you stand.

Relocation tips

Here are a few of our top tips to make sure relocating for work goes as smoothly as possible:

• Do your research. Whether it’s through searching online or asking friends – checking what your new town/city is going to be like is an important part of relocating. Aspects like transport links, local amenities, schools, and cost of living are all vital to consider.
• Actually, visit. Looking up the above is a good start, but you won’t be able to get a feel of the area until you actually go there – more than once. Some companies will subsidise travel costs for visits like these, so check to see if this is an option beforehand.
• Consider commuting. If you’ve been asked to relocate somewhere within a commutable distance of your current home, ask yourself whether you’d rather travel or move to a new town – considering all the relevant factors (e.g. costs, travel times).
• Have a plan B. There’s always a possibility that relocating won’t work out the way you’d hoped – meaning having a solid backup plan is key. Consider alternative work options, whether you could return home, and who’s nearby to help you out if you needed it.