What Are the Pros and Cons of Job Relocation?

Different pros and cons of job relocation can often depend a great deal upon the types of perks a company might offer an employee to relocate for a position. Some major advantages for moving to a new area for work can be a promotion with increased pay, exposure to new locales, and new professional and social opportunities. Downsides to this type of move, however, can include limited compensation from an employer for the move, the potential for unemployment in an unfamiliar area in the future, and the upheaval of an employee’s family. Those considering job relocation should be sure to gain as much information as possible about the transfer.

There are many potential advantages for an employee who accepts job relocation, though many of these depend on his or her particular circumstance. Relocation may be offered as part of a promotion that requires him or her to move to a new area to accept it. In this type of situation, the relocation is likely to come with a pay raise and a more important position within a company.

Moving to a new area can be exciting for many people, and so the very nature of job relocation can be considered a perk. This is particularly true if the new location an employee transfers to is one that he or she has wanted to live in. Accepting job relocation can also allow an employee to be available for additional professional opportunities such as future promotions, especially if an employee relocates to his or her company’s headquarters. There may also be new social and entertainment opportunities in a new city or country that can appeal to those who relocate.

There are some possible drawbacks to job relocation, however, which should be considered carefully. Not all companies reimburse workers for the expense of moving, and those that do may not reimburse for the full cost of the move. This is an especially important consideration for anyone who owns a home, as selling that house and moving to a new one can be quite expensive and complicated.

Even after job relocation, workers may still find himself or herself unemployed. Transferring locations and positions within a company is not necessarily a guarantee of ongoing employment, and downsizing or other issues may result in termination of employment. This can lead to employees who have transferred locations and now find themselves unemployed in a market they are unfamiliar with. Employees should also consider the toll that job relocation can take on family, including spouses who may need to leave their work and kids who experience upheaval from such a move.