Relocation Success - how to assist employees with integration
Relocation Success: 4 ways companies can assist employees with integration
Integration assistance is at the core of successful recruitment and relocation, as it benefits both employees, companies and societies in the long run. Here, we’ve gathered an overview and some tips on what companies can do to achieve a successful integration assistance process.
Companies are increasingly relying on bringing in and retaining expert workers from other cities and countries. From ensuring long-term success to simply filling a worker gap, the global mobility industry shows no sign of slowing down with 3 of 5 workers willing to relocate for work.
However, relocating for work can be a challenging and overwhelming experience for employees. In addition to the stress of finding a new home and adjusting to a new environment, they may also face cultural differences and struggles to build a new support system. Here, integration assistance plays a central part in successful relocations and employee retention.
What is integration assistance?
Integration assistance is the strategy and resources implemented for a positive transition into a new community. It addresses the needs of both the employee and potential family members from a practical, social, and professional perspective during a relocation, often after the move has been completed. In general, it doesn’t just help the candidate experience but also comes with several business benefits: candidates with a smooth integration experience can contribute and be productive more quickly at work after a move, and are more likely to have a positive impact on the organization’s culture and overall mission. In fact, 73% of employees are more productive at work thanks to integration assistance.
How companies can achieve successful integration assistance
Companies that provide their employees with effective integration assistance can help ease the transition and ensure their employees’ success in their new location. Here are four things companies can do to assist with the integration process:
- Facilitate cultural integration
Understanding and joining a culture is easier said than done, but a good way to start is through language. Even though the local language is not commonly used in the workplace, it’s still key when understanding a culture. At Minnovation, we offer the ability for candidates to combine work with language studies, so the integration process runs smoothly.
- Connect employees with local resources
Employees who have recently relocated may not be familiar with the area and may have difficulty finding resources such as doctors, banks, and supermarkets. Companies can assist their employees by connecting them with local resources or providing them with a list of recommended service providers, saving a lot of time and stress. Minnovation collaborates with Expats & Friends, a non-profit organization in Skellefteå, creating opportunities for both new and old locals to meet and connect.
- Support the transition of families
Relocating for work can be difficult not just for the employee but also for their family. One of the most common reasons for an employee not wanting to relocate is due to family, showing how important it is for companies to truly take care of an employee’s family.
Activating partners and providing schooling solutions for children are two of the most important parts of taking care of families. Additionally, companies can also organize events and activities that allow families to meet and connect with other families who have relocated.
- Offering a long-term perspective
Relocating for a job often means a lot for the employee, and a long-term focus is therefore of high importance. Create the conditions needed for thriving and developing, both at work and outside work, for the employees and accompanying families.
Feeling safe, happy and welcomed are the pillars of an effective integration process, and something every company should focus on – regardless of how far the transfer has been. At Minnovation, we take integration in society seriously and see it as a business-critical investment; when we succeed with that, our business will be even more sustainable in the long run. Read more about our integration process here.
Creating social meeting rooms for our employees
– Being an employee at Minnovation is being part of something bigger. Today, we operate in nine European countries and keep growing as our collaborations expand. Every effort counts with our employees as the most important part, Jens Pihlblad, Marketing Manager.
Jens Pihlblad has been active in Skellefteå’s community for many years. Mostly with societal activities such as sports, something he describes as creating a sense of joy and togetherness, regardless of culture or background. Apart from that, he’s the Marketing Manager at Minnovation International, creating opportunities for clients to reach a sustainable and long-term supply of skills and, at the same time, develop the local
integration.
– I’m passionate about creating a sense of mutual belonging in our society. One of the most important parts of my job is ensuring the quality of our process in the labor market, focusing on social integration. And of course to create collaborations that enable relocation of our employees that, in the long run, contribute to the municipalities’ increased population and growth, locally and regionally, Jens says.
Minnovation ensures the supply of skills with the foundation of creating an equation evenly distributed to socially important functions such as healthcare, industries, and growing private business — a circular chain that is sustainable and long-term. Jens explains:
– In northern Sweden today, for example, it’s difficult to find the right candidates for vacancies for local staffing companies. But with our global network, we ensure competence supply and recruitment both locally and internationally, creating opportunities and growth for our customers, Jens says and continues:
– Regardless of whether we have an employee down in Falun who moves to the northern parts of the country, it’s the same process we carry out as with someone from the rest of Europe. By creating social meeting rooms for our employees, they enter society more quickly, which creates a liking for society and culture. We do this for our employees but can also help our clients with their integration work.
You can find more information about how we can help companies and employee on the links down below.
