Survive Your First Relocation Outsourcing

Finding the right vendor doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Follow these tips and you’ll stay firmly in control.

• Develop a strong, tiered relocation policy for your employees.
• Break down the different areas of relocation so you can itemize costs.
• Estimate time and costs of HR’s current relocation role.
• Project what time would be saved if relocation were outsourced.

• Benchmark as many firms as you possibly can.
• Ask for references from other HR clients and relocated employees.
• Check with the Washington, D.C.-based Employee Relocation Council and the Alexandria, Virginia-based Society for Human Resource Management for referrals and experiences.
• Visit each prospective vendor’s office.

• Clearly state the employee’s goal and situation—professionally and personally. Define your expectations.
• Meet the person who will handle your account. Ask about caseload.
• Evaluate the firm’s flexibility to match your needs, budget and culture.
• Determine the vendor’s long-term commitment to stay in the relocation industry.
• Leverage free services.

• Set up a mechanism for employee feedback, such as a customer survey.
• Ask for some follow-up measures.