Moving Household Goods

by | Oct 19, 2023 | Insider

When it comes to moving personnel, taking care of the details ahead of time including what’s covered by the policy, expected exceptions, and how to handle them, can save your company time and money in the long run. A household goods (HHG) policy helps HR professionals and procurement specialists communicate to employees and allows for a more seamless relocation.

While it may seem that some things will never be brought to your attention as an exception request, spending time reevaluating how line items should be classified in your HHG policy will ensure that you avoid unpleasant surprises. Your HR staff and global relocation provider can be on the same footing by evaluating your HHG policy. Whether it’s the accounting manager with a wine collection or the marketing associate who owns two playhouses and a giant trampoline, addressing your household goods policy ahead of time can help you avoid exception requests.

When Relocating HHG, there are a Few Things to Keep in Mind

It should come as no surprise that today’s businesses place a high priority on company culture. Top talent is more focused than ever on finding the right fit for them. The consistency of the corporate culture can influence talent retention even after acquiring talent. Small decisions can have a cascading influence on how employees perceive their company’s culture. We encourage individuals in charge of their company’s relocation program to assess the household goods move policy and its line items through a cultural lens as well as a financial one.

In a broader sense, employees’ location and demographics are crucial, since they may influence the products that need to be transferred. You may need to reconsider how boats and jet skis are classified in your HHG policy if you have many coastal employees. You may need to transfer outside play equipment if executives have large families. These are the kinds of discussions and considerations that should guarantee the policy and culture are in sync.

Clear and On Track Policies

1. Keeping Costs Under Control

When it comes to cost reduction, HHG policies can be a valuable tool for businesses. While certain line items may appear insignificant, if your organization is shifting many people, little things can soon add up. Reviewing HHG policies can help you save money while also ensuring that you’re covered for everything your company considers essential for employee relocation. Your relocation firm may also have insights and ideas that will help you determine if your organization is finding the proper balance of competitiveness and cost-cutting.

2. Keeping it Simple

There is a reason why people avoid moving. Moving is difficult, stressful, and draining. This is especially true if you don’t cover all your bases ahead of time. When the moving day arrives, a well-defined HHG policy can help to reduce turmoil and inconvenience. In addition to carefully examining your HHG policy, effective communication among all parties involved reduces any surprises before the move date.

3. Time is of the essence

Excessive use of the “exception” category in household goods policies may result in a disproportionate number of exception requests. At the same time, it may be challenging to agree on a precise “yes” or “no” for each line item in your HHG policies; doing so to the extent possible streamlines the transfer and saves you time. This is especially true in companies that relocate a lot of people.

You will benefit if you work closely with a relocation provider who knows the industry inside and out. While many elements go into creating a successful relocation program, household goods policies are an excellent place to start when trying to: align relocation with company culture; adapt to changing tax policies; control costs; streamline the moving process; and save time in your HR and procurement departments.

MMP’s Advantages

WHR’s MMP is one solution to the movement of household goods resulting in fewer overall claims, cost savings, and improved service: Learn more here:

https://youtu.be/LKtxwMlMyO0?si=AC9WYJ5AWH0ZjGr0.  Most carriers have limited resources and equipment, so during peak periods they will either reject or accept your move based on their availability. MMP offers a virtual bid board for WHR move opportunities, so carriers can readily see the departure and destination locations. It also implies that carriers will not have to travel between places with empty trucks and will accept cargo based on their location and crew availability during a specific timeframe.

However your company handles HHG policy issues, make sure you’re partnered with a good Relocation Management Company!

Relocating Employees to Switzerland? 10 Apps to Recommend.

by | Oct 1, 2023 | News

Relocating Employees to Switzerland 10 Apps to Recommend

Is your organization relocating employees to Switzerland? HR, global mobility, and talent acquisition teams are expected to guide employees through this process and provide key resources. Some of the greatest resources an organization can provide to that employee are free or low-cost mobile phone apps. From Swiss customs to public transportation: here are 10 must-have apps you should recommend when relocating employees to Switzerland.

Transportation App for Employees Relocating to Switzerland

SBB

SBB stands for Schweizerische Bundesbahnen, which translates to Swiss Federal Railways. Consequently, as Switzerland’s largest transport company, SBB runs all major trains in the country. At the same time, SBB also provides links to the European high-speed network. Every day over a million passengers and more than two hundred thousand tonnes of freight travel on board more than ten thousand trains along the SBB rail network. Employees relocating to Switzerland can use the SBB Mobile app for public transportation all throughout the country. Relocating employees can also buy tickets from ticketing machines or at ticket offices in bus or train stations. Some buses in rural areas don’t have machines and ticket offices.

Payment App for Employees Relocating to Switzerland

TWINT

With TWINT, Switzerland’s payment app, employees relocating to Switzerland can make convenient and secure payments using their smartphones. The TWINT app makes it easy for expats to pay at store cash registers, in the supermarket, in the online shop, and when shopping in the farm shop – digitally and cashlessly.

Customs App for Employees Relocating to Switzerland

QuickZoll

QuickZoll is the official Swiss customs app for individuals. As a private individual, QuickZoll allows to employees relocating to Switzerland to independently declare goods for importation for their own use or as a gift and pay any applicable taxes and duties directly. In addition, the Swiss Customs app summarises all the important facts about entry to Switzerland briefly and concisely.

Public Safety App for Employees Relocating to Switzerland

Alertswiss

Alertswiss is the official, free mobile app which publishes all relevant information pertaining to precautions and behavior during disasters and emergencies in Switzerland. Although Switzerland is rarely affected by major disasters, it is good to know which dangers exist and which behaviour can protect employees relocating to Switzerland. Relocating employees can receive alerts, warnings, and information about their current location directly and constantly on their smartphones. 

Social App for Employees Relocating to Switzerland

InterNations

InterNations is a global community for people who live and work abroad. It’s the largest network of its kind, with around 4 million members in 420 cities worldwide. It offers networking and socializing both online and in person. Additionally, members can attend events, participate in forums, and receive tips and advice on expat life. In similar fashion, InterNations conducts an annual Expat Insider survey that ranks countries and cities. In 2023, Mexico was ranked the best place for expats.

Language Apps for Employees Relocating to Switzerland

Google Translate

Google Translate‘s mobile app is a must-have for expats in Switzerland. Chiefly, it is a multilingual neural machine translation service developed by Google to translate text, documents and websites from one language into another. Given that Switzerland has 4 national languages (German/Swiss German, French, Italian, and Romansh), employees relocating to Switzerland can look forward to translating many street signs, menus, and more.

Duolingo

Communication App for Employees Relocating to Switzerland

WhatsApp

Food Apps for Employees Relocating to Switzerland

Just Eat

Formerly known as Eat.ch, Just Eat is an excellent solution for employees in hotels, temporary housing, or transferees waiting for their kitchen supplies to be delivered by the moving company. Expats in Switzerland, accordingly, can order takeout or delivery from the Just Eat app from most cities in Switzerland, including Zürich, Geneva, Basel, Bern, Lausanne, and more. 

Too Good to Go

Due to its high cost of living, expats in Switzerland may have an affinity for the mobile app Too Good To Go. Too Good To Go is a free app that helps reduce food waste by allowing users to buy unsold food from restaurants, bakeries, and other businesses at a discount. In their 2022 annual impact report, Too Good To Go stated 2 million users open the app daily which saved 79 million meals. Even more, the app serves a greater purpose; It’s estimated nearly one-third of all food is wasted while 828 million people go hungry every day. By selling unsold food at discounted prices, businesses reduce excess waste and help communities reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

Relocating Employees to the US? 10 Apps to Recommend.

by | Sep 27, 2023 | News

Relocating employees to the US

Is your organization relocating employees to the US? HR, global mobility, and talent acquisition teams are expected to guide employees through this process and provide key resources. Some of the greatest resources an organization can provide to that employee are free or low-cost mobile phone apps. From language training to hotels, travel, and more: here are 10 must-have apps you should recommend when relocating employees to the US.

Social Apps for Employees Relocating to the US

InterNations

InterNations is a global community for people who live and work abroad. It’s the largest network of its kind, with around 4 million members in 420 cities worldwide. InterNations offers networking and socializing both online and in person. InterNations members can attend events, participate in forums, and receive tips and advice on expat life. InterNations also offers an Expat Insider survey that ranks countries and cities. In 2023, Mexico was ranked the best place for expats.

MeetUp

Meetup is a social networking site that allows people to find and join groups based on their interests. Meetups are informal meetings or get-togethers for people with similar interests. Meetups can be in-person or virtual, and can take place in places like cafés or parks. There are no membership fees to join Meetup, which makes it an excellent app for expats to build their new friend groups and social networks. 

Language App for Employees Relocating to the US

Duolingo

Communication App for Employees Relocating to the US

WhatsApp

Hotel & Travel App for Employees Relocating to the US

Booking.com

Headquartered in Amsterdam, Booking.com is an online travel agency that connects travelers with a wide variety of places to stay. The company was founded in Amsterdam in 1996 and has over 28 million accommodation listings. Booking.com offers discounts on hotels, flights, car rentals, taxis, and attractions. This is extremely useful for expats who are left for themselves to book hotel stays on short notice, or rental vehicles during their preview trip and temporary housing. 

Transportation Apps for Employees Relocating to the US

Uber & Uber Eats

When employees are relocating to the US, ride-hailing apps such as Uber are cost-effective solutions to getting to and from hotels, temporary housing, apartments, and homes. Furthermore, when expats are tired and jet-lagged from travel, they can order a plethora of food and other products on Uber Eats from the comfort of their hotel or temporary housing.

Lyft

Similar to Uber, Lyft provides ride-hailing, rental cars, and food delivery in the United States and Canada. Lyft offers a marketplace where drivers can be matched with riders through the Lyft app. Lyft also offers other transportation options, such as motorized scooters and bicycle-sharing. Lyft offers ride booking, payment processing, and car transportation services. Lyft can be a fantastic alternative when there is a spike in price, or lack of availability through Uber. 

Mental Health App for Employees Relocating to the US

Headspace

After death and divorce, it’s said that relocating is the third most stressful event in a person’s lifetime. Headspace is an app that offers guided meditations, courses, and mindfulness exercises on topics like stress, anxiety, and building resilience. The app aims to improve concentration and mood, and reduce anxiety. Offering hundreds of meditations, sleep sounds and music, focus music, and mood-boosting workouts, Headspace is an excellent mental health tool for expats who need to slow down and breathe. 

Home Goods App for Employees Relocating to the US

Amazon Prime

When expats need something delivered on short notice to a hotel, temporary housing, or unfurnished home, Amazon Prime can be an excellent and cost-effective solution. Some assignees may choose to bypass their household goods shipment altogether and purchase everything at their destination with a furnishings allowance. From TVs to furniture, cleaning supplies, and more, Amazon Prime is an excellent way for expats to furnish their new homes or deliver an essential item to temporary housing.

Self-Move App for Employees Relocating in the US

SimpleMove®

SimpleMove is a free, online platform developed by WHR Global. It can be used by: (1) employees relocating themselves within the US; (2) HR and talent acqusition teams who want to a self-move or lump sum solution for US relocations; or (3) established global mobility programs who want a cost-effective solutions for US relocations.

The largest financial benefit is a tax-free, cash-back rebate paid to the employee when they sell or purchase a home through a SimpleMove real estate agent. The rebate, paid after closing, is based on $5 USD per every $1,000 USD of the sale or purchase price. There is no cap on the rebate amount; For example, a $300,000 USD home sale or purchase will provide the relocating employee with a $1,500 USD rebate. This is in addition to accessing WHR Global’s network of moving companies, rental agents, temporary housing providers, mortgage lenders, and other helpful resources within the platform.

Relocating Employees Contact WHR Global Image

7 Benefits of Outsourcing Your Relocation Program

by | Sep 26, 2023 | News

In the days of low volume, Human Resource professionals comfortably managed the relocation of a few key employees without the aid of a specialist. These moves might have been a generous lump sum with access to a preferred household goods carrier, but while this worked in the past, relocation best practices and the workforce industry itself have changed significantly. In order to source the very best talent for the job, it has become essential for companies to have a global relocation program that adheres to today’s best practices while also staying up to date on tax and legal requirements. Creating and successfully running a relocation program that competes in today’s global market is a demanding task that requires more time and understanding than ever before, which is why HR departments traditionally outsource the relocation process. Using a professional relocation management company (or RMC) eases the burden of meeting the demand for top talent by providing these seven fundamental benefits.
relocation program

1. Knowledgeable Relocation Experts

If relocation is something you manage right now, there’s a good chance you manage other workforce-related tasks in your department, such as recruiting, onboarding, and training. Balancing so many responsibilities makes it difficult to become a subject matter expert in all of these areas.

With the aid of an RMC, you and your transferring employees won’t have to worry about being the subject matter expert on relocation because RMCs have staff trained specifically to make your program as smooth and seamless as possible.

At WHR Group, we take our staff’s knowledge one step further by requiring real estate licensure to ensure you and your employees have the most experienced and knowledgeable real estate experts on your side.

2. More Time to Focus on Impact

We’ve already established relocation management as a task that really requires your full attention, often leaving your other responsibilities in the dust.

Having an RMC manage your relocations for you allows you to have a higher impact in your strategic initiatives.

3. Vast Network of Suppliers

Having a trusted supplier network in place is an important aspect for any professional RMC. RMCs build relationships with suppliers ranging from household goods carriers to international destination agents so you don’t have to.

Managing a relocation program is difficult enough without also having to manage the selection and qualification of these third parties. While a huge undertaking, it’s one that is easily accomplished through an RMC, which typically has a team dedicated to managing this network.

By being connected to a larger network of tracked and vetted suppliers, you are guaranteed to offer your employees more choices when it comes to who they work with, with more consistent service and at discounted rates.

4. Competitive Policies

An important consideration for your relocation program is knowing what benefits will entice job candidates most, no matter where the job is located. It’s a delicate balance of offering the most competitive relocation benefits in your industry while still being cost-conscious.

A professional RMC will benchmark your relocation policies against your competition to ensure you continue attracting the candidates you are most interested in.

5. Increased Cost Savings

RMCs are constantly moving high volumes of transferring employees for multiple clients annually. This means they are building strong relationships with several different suppliers for things like home sales, temporary housing, and international services, which benefits you with suppliers’ best-rate pricing and a track record of top-tier service.

This varied knowledge also enables RMCs to make policy recommendations for maximum cost savings on your program.

6. Tax Compliance

The tax and legal requirements of relocating employees are extensive, which is why RMCs offer considerable advantages.

Your RMC will guide you through any issues or concerns while ensuring that all tax-deductible requirements are met on each of your relocations.

7. Ease of Technology

Managing the relocation process through a system not built exclusively for your relocation program can make an already difficult job impossible. For this reason, RMCs continuously invest in their relocation system to respond to the evolution of tax laws, reporting needs, and clients’ unique policy requirements.

These systems, like the one WHR Group built for its clients from the ground up, offer real-time access to customizable reports, cost analysis tools, and the ability to track your employees’ relocations through a sophisticated internal workflow.

 

The challenges of managing a relocation program in-house have led many HR departments to seek outsourcing opportunities. Because relocation management requires a vast amount of consideration, it is an ideal candidate for outsourcing. By seeking an RMC for your company, you play a vital role in renewing and strengthening not just your relocation program but your involvement in HR and the workforce industry as a whole.

The RMC you choose should function as an extension of your department and your company. Selecting an RMC that designs a program in your company’s best interest ensures you remain a competitive, compliant, and cost-conscious employer.

For more information on how WHR Group can take your relocation program to the next level, call us at 800-523-3318 or email [email protected].

5 Corporate Relocation Trends to Keep an Eye On | Q4 2023

by | Sep 21, 2023 | News

Employee Relocation Abstract globe focusing on North America illustration Ai generat

Here are 5 corporate relocation trends WHR Global is keeping an eye on for Q4 and beyond!

Global Housing Costs

Verdict: ↑ Varied ↓

Whether purchasing or renting around the world, global housing costs are expensive, but the past 12 months have been inconsistent. Within the corporate relocation industry, it’s important to keep an ear to the ground in key hubs of economic activity so organizations know when to adjust housing allowances, begin to offer mortgage support for homeowners, or improve the level of support. Below are examples of just a few key economic zones WHR is monitoring closely:

 

  • Germany: Year-over-year (YOY) property price decrease of -4%.
  • Japan: YOY property price increase of 5%.
  • Netherlands: YOY property price decrease of -9%.
  • Singapore: YOY property price increase of 7%.
  • Switzerland: YOY property price increase of 4%.
  • United Arab Emirates: YOY property price increase of 18%.

  • United States:
    • Homebuyers: average 30-year fixed mortgage rate increase from 6.02% (15-Sep-2022) to 7.18% (15-Sep-2023).
    • Boston, MA: median monthly rent increase of 3% YOY from $3,200 USD/month to $3,300 USD/month.
    • Los Angeles, CA: median monthly rent decrease of -8% YOY from $3,195 USD/month to $2,950 USD/month.
    • Houston, TX: median monthly rent remained stagnant with a 0% YOY difference from $1,794 USD/month to $1,795 USD/month.
    • New York, NY: median monthly rent increase of 5% YOY from $3,480 USD/month to $3,664 USD/month.
    • Miami, FL: median monthly rent decrease of -12% YOY from $3,800 USD/month to $3,350 USD/month.

Corporate Relocation in the Netherlands

Verdict: ↑ Trending Up ↑

Thanks to the European Union’s Right to Work and expat-friendly legislation such as the 30% facility, corporate relocation is positioned to trend upwards. For those unfamiliar, the Netherlands 30% facility allows employers to choose to pay their employees 30% of their annual salary tax-free (provided they meet certain baseline conditions). Expats also enjoy geopolitical stability, a consistently high quality of life, and expat-friendly banks such as ABN AMRO.

Netherlands Migration Statistics (2013-2022)

This chart shows immigration, emigration, and net immigration for the Netherlands from 2013-2022.

ESG Considerations in Corporate Relocation RFPs

Verdict: ↑ Trending Up ↑

Environmental Social Governance (ESG) is becoming commonplace in most corporate relocation RFPs. As organizations focus on sustainability and ethical practices, these factors play a pivotal role in their vendor selection. ESG compliance aligns with a company’s values, reflecting positively on its brand image.

Choosing corporate relocation services providers committed to these principles demonstrates a commitment to social and environmental responsibility, appealing to both employees and stakeholders. Organizations should seek out corporate relocation serivces providers who value committed action plans such as EcoVadis certifications and Science-Based Targets.

EcoVadis helps organizations manage ESG risk and compliance, meet corporate sustainability goals, and drive impact at scale by guiding the sustainability performance improvement of corporations and their supply chains.

Science-Based Targets help organizations lead the way to a zero-carbon economy, boost innovation and drive sustainable growth by setting ambitious, science-based emissions reduction targets. 

Air Shipments in Corporate Relocation

Verdict: ↓ Slightly Trending Down ↓

As detailed in our article, “ESG in Global Mobility: Turning the Tide on Air Shipments,” there are significant ESG advantages to reducing or eliminating air shipments. Air shipments have long been the go-to choice for international relocations and corporate moves due to their speed and efficiency. However, the environmental impact of air cargo emissions cannot be overlooked. As a greener alternative, sea container shipments present a compelling case for global mobility programs to transition towards more eco-friendly transportation modes.

To compare typical CO2 emissions between modes of transport (measured in grams of CO2 per metric ton of goods shipped per mile): flights emit 500 grams of CO2/metric ton of cargo per kilometer of transportation. However, ships emit only between 10 to 40 grams of CO2 per kilometer.

Communicate the difference in CO2 emissions between air, road, and sea shipments. Your employees may self-select a more eco-friendly option (if feasible), sending fewer items in their air shipments or not utilizing them at all. Or, instead of an LDN air shipment container which has a weight capacity of 750 lbs, consider reducing this entitlement to a D air shipment container which has a weight capacity of approximately 500 lbs.

Implement programs such as Discard & Donate to reduce shipment sizes, thereby reducing organizational costs and CO2 emissions. Consider offering a cash allowance in lieu of the air shipment, or eliminate the air shipment option altogether.

Global Mobility ESG

Inclusive Language in Employee Relocation Policies

Verdict: ↑ Trending Up ↑

As discussed during various regional relocation council meetings, including WiERC & CRC Chicago, corporations can have a large positive or negative impact on their employees by how their policy language is written. Writing a definition for family size, as an example, can have large downstream impacts if a family member feels excluded.

Here are some of the considerations employers should take into account when defining family size in their relocation policies:

  • Is your definition for family size consistent across all HR policies?
  • Is your relocation policy inclusive of same-sex relationships?
  • Should dependent children be limited to 18-years-old and younger? Or should dependent children include those up to 21-years-old if they’re still attending school?
  • Should your relocation policy include or exclude elderly dependents? If elderly dependents are included, this could have immigration complications.
Family moving home

Conclusion

In summary, the corporate relocation landscape is undergoing significant shifts, and WHR Global is diligently monitoring these trends for Q4 and beyond. The global housing market presents a complex and varied picture, emphasizing the need for organizations to remain adaptable and responsive in adjusting housing allowances and support mechanisms. The Netherlands emerges as a promising destination for corporate relocation, thanks to favorable legislation and expat-friendly policies. Additionally, the rise of Environmental Social Governance (ESG) considerations in relocation requests for proposals (RFPs) underscores the growing importance of sustainability and ethical practices. Finally, the focus on inclusive language in employee relocation policies highlights the impact that thoughtful policy design can have on employees’ well-being and satisfaction. As the corporate relocation landscape evolves, staying informed and embracing these trends will be crucial for organizations seeking to navigate this dynamic environment successfully.