This can be a pretty hard step, since most people have become accustomed to working remotely and being asked to switch back to a regular work schedule involves a lot of planning and preparation.
Now imagine having to relocate to a completely new location, especially after two full years of remote work - it can be hard. However, true talent doesn’t come easy, so if you’ve found the right candidate for your company, it doesn’t hurt to go the extra mile to make sure their relocation and onboarding is as smooth as possible.
In this article, we’ll walk you through some of the most important things you should take care of when helping new employees settle in after an international relocation - let’s get started!
1. Help them learn the basics
If the employee is completely new to the region and does not speak the local language, they’re going to be having a hard time moving around and even working in the office with the rest of their colleagues. That’s why it’s essential to help them know that they have the time and opportunity to learn the local language if they’re interested.
It helps to make language classes accessible to them, so they can pick up on the basics right after they move in. Of course, this doesn’t always need to be done (especially if the employee has learned the language themselves) but if they wish for tutoring, it could help to give them this option.
2. Offer useful information and resources
It goes without saying that they’re going to be overwhelmed if you throw loads of paperwork and legal documents at them the moment they make the move. Instead, try to walk them through everything they need to know by giving them a separate onboarding process.
It also helps to prioritize the really important things that need to be covered as soon as possible, such as setting up a bank account - this process can be slightly daunting for employees who are new to the country.
If you want more clarity on how you can help them through this process, this page covers almost everything you need to know about opening a bank account online.
3. Help them with housing
They’re not going to be able to find an apartment or house and move right into it if they’re coming to the country for the first time, so it makes sense to take care of their accommodation for as long as possible until they’ve found a chance to explore the area and find a place that works for them.
Some companies offer to accommodate them in hotels, while others offer a temporary stay in a guest house until they’ve found a home to move into.
Not only that, but you can also offer them assistance by connecting them with estate agents or rental companies. This way, they wouldn’t feel lost when it comes to house hunting and signing rental agreements.
4. Factor in their other needs
If the employee has a family and kids, the process can be slightly more tedious for them. Not only do they have to shift to a new country but they also need to find good schools and daycare centers or nannies for their children.
It helps to give them assistance here - many companies offer their employees a monetary benefit for the first few weeks of their move so they can afford to hire a nanny to look after their kids while they settle in.
You can also give them the information they may need with regard to finding the right school that they can enroll their children in.
