This blog issue covers an often-overlooked aspect of relocation: allowing time for a transferee to settle in to their new home. We are also honored to feature our guest contributor, Lynn Greenberg from Pivtapp.com.
Pivtapp.com is a platform designed to help people who are relocating or moving to new cities make social connections and feel more at home. It focuses on easing the challenges of moving by allowing users to connect with others based on shared interests, backgrounds, or commonalities such as living in the same area or working in the same industry. Pivt also offers features that help users discover local communities and events, making it easier for newcomers to integrate and find a sense of belonging in unfamiliar surroundings. In this blog post, she will cover additional tips from Lynn Greenberg Founder & Chief Executive Officer.
When your company undergoes an international move, ensuring your employees have the time and resources to settle into their new environment is essential for their well-being and productivity. Relocating abroad can be both exciting and challenging, especially when it comes to adjusting to a new culture, language, and surroundings. By providing sufficient time and support, you set your team up for success in their new roles while reducing the potential stress associated with international moves.
The Importance of Allowing Time to Settle In
Cultural Adjustment: Moving to a different country means navigating new customs, social norms, and languages. Employees will need time to familiarize themselves with the cultural landscape of their new home. Allowing them time to adjust, both personally and professionally, ensures that they feel more comfortable in their environment, which ultimately leads to a smoother transition and stronger performance at work.
Lynn’s feedback – According to a study by Cigna, 56% of expats reported that adapting to a new culture was their biggest challenge.
Personal and Family Support: Relocating employees often have family members moving with them. Ensuring that their family also has the time to settle in and adjust—whether it’s finding schools, understanding healthcare systems, or integrating into the local community—means that employees can focus better on their new roles without the stress of juggling personal concerns. Offering a period of transition for employees to tend to their families’ needs helps maintain their morale.
Lynn’s feedback – Statistics from the International Employee Relocation Council show that when families struggle to adjust, it can lead to failed assignments, with up to 40% of international relocations being cut short for family-related reasons.
Workplace Integration: Employees need time to acclimate to their new work environment. Whether it’s understanding different business cultures, navigating new workflows, or developing relationships with international colleagues, giving your employees time to settle in allows them to integrate effectively into the workplace.
Lynn’s feedback – According to Worldwide ERC, early support during relocation significantly increases employee engagement, with 70% of relocated employees stating they perform better when supported in their settling-in process.
Health and Well-being: Moving can be physically and mentally exhausting. Many employees may experience relocation fatigue or jet lag, especially when moving to drastically different time zones. Offering flexibility in their schedule or starting with a reduced workload can support their overall well-being and give them the energy to perform at their best once they’re fully settled.
Lynn’s feedback – Relocating to a new country can be physically and mentally exhausting. Data from Expat Insider suggests that 41% of expatriates report high-stress levels during their initial months abroad.
How to Support Your Employees During the Relocation Process
1. Provide Relocation Assistance: Work with professional international movers like MM Worldwide, which offers services tailored to both business and personal relocations. By handling transportation, customs clearance, and removal of packing debris, you can ensure a smooth moving experience for your employees.
Lynn’s feedback – Relocating employees often have family members moving with them. Ensuring that their family also has the time to settle in and adjust—whether it is finding schools, understanding healthcare systems or integrating into the local community—means that employees can focus better on their new roles. Statistics from the International Employee Relocation Council show that when families struggle to adjust, it can lead to failed assignments, with up to 40% of international relocations being cut short for family-related reasons.
2. Offer Extended Onboarding Time: Allow your employee a grace period to settle into their new unfamiliar environment before fully engaging with their job responsibilities. This could mean offering a flexible start date or remote work options during their initial transition.
3. Facilitate Cultural Training: Providing cultural orientation or language courses can help employees navigate their new surroundings more effectively. This can be especially helpful for roles that require direct engagement with local clients or colleagues.
4. Offer Relocation Stipends or Support Services: Some companies provide financial assistance to help employees cover the initial costs of moving, such as housing, temporary accommodation, or transportation. Others offer counseling or coaching services to help employees cope with the emotional aspects of relocation.
Lynn’s feedback – Several trends in global mobility are changing the way companies approach international relocations. The move toward lump-sum allowances or capped budgets for relocations is one such trend. While these options offer flexibility, they can leave employees to manage the settling-in process on their own, increasing stress and delays in integration. Additionally, the rise of remote work has altered traditional relocation models. In some cases, employees are relocating with fewer in-person support structures, which makes the role of digital tools and communities even more critical in ensuring a smooth transition.
Investing in Employee Success
International relocations present unique challenges, but by giving your employees the time and resources they need to settle in, you demonstrate your commitment to their success. With the right support and preparation, you can ensure that the move is a positive and productive experience for everyone involved.
The Role of MM Worldwide
At MM Worldwide, a division of MiniMoves Inc., we specialize in making international relocations seamless for both individuals and businesses. Our services, which include transportation, customs clearance, delivery and removal of packing debris, are designed to minimize the stress of moving abroad. Additionally, our unique service model yields an incredibly low damage/loss frequency, with customer satisfaction scores three times the industry average.
Key Features of MM Worldwide’s Service Model:
– International moving. Anywhere in the world.
– Virtual surveys for hassle-free move estimates.
– No deposit is required to book a move.
– A dedicated move coordinator to assist throughout the entire process.
– Full-service moving with packing, transportation, customs clearance, delivery, and unpacking services.
Interested in learning more about how MM Worldwide can support your international moving needs? Contact us today for more information on how we can assist with your next big move.
More About MiniMoves Inc
MiniMoves, Inc. is a nationwide full-service household goods mover using a unique service process that has been refined over thirty-two years to deliver efficient, affordable state-to-state moving. MiniMoves® is an American Trucking Association Certified Pro Mover, has earned a BBB A+ Rating, and has received many positive social media reviews. MiniMoves® is also honored to be featured in a PBS documentary, Viewpoint, hosted by Dennis Quaid! See it on your local PBS station or watch it here now!
More About Lynn at Pivt
Lynn is the founder and CEO of Pivt, a cutting-edge platform focused on reducing turnover and enhancing the social well-being of relocated, mobile, remote employees and their families. Recognized as a Forbes 30 under 30 in 2022 and Forbes Next 1000 in 2021, Lynn is also actively involved on the Board of Trustees at her alma mater, Franklin & Marshall College. Before launching Pivt, Lynn gained valuable experience at Bloomberg LP in London and Autonomy Ventures, where she excelled in securing startup deal-flow, managing teams, and driving value creation for portfolio companies. A dedicated mentor and advisor, Lynn contributes her expertise to Women in Business at Yeshiva University, Astia Angels, and London & Partners. Lynn’s influence extends to various speaking engagements, including SXSW, Harvard University, NYU Stern Business School, Columbia University Business School, NY Venture Summit, Brandeis University, and the University of Oxford. She has been featured in reputable publications such as Forbes, The London Evening Standard, and Digital Trends. Lynn also shares her insights through contributions to Thrive Global, ERC Worldwide Mobility Magazine, Startup Magazine, and the Entrepreneur Podcast Network.
