Relocation: Creating A Mobile Workforce
The UK manufacturing employment market is one that is presently driven by candidates. With skill shortages in all sectors and the demand for skills far outstripping the supply - manufacturers are required to adopt a more flexible approach to compete in the war for talent.
Listgrove, the leading recruitment specialist within the plastics, packaging and chemical markets, have been involved in supporting candidates through the re-location dilemma over many years and are now questioning companies on whether there is the real need to re-locate candidates in the first instance.
“We have seen an increasing demand for candidates to fully relocate close to the company’s site. In some ways this is understandable due to cost pressures but this means companies are missing out on the best talent” says Conrad Taylor, Business Director Executive and HR for Listgrove.
The candidate sacrifice is high when relocating and companies need to compensate to facilitate the move. Alongside selling their home, candidates often have to consider alternative employment for their partner, schools for their children and developing a work-life balance in order for the move to go ahead. “We find that even if the job is perfect for the candidate and they are keen to accept an offer, if the move is not right for their immediate family, their employment will not come to fruition” says Conrad.
Where relocation is essential, there is a cautious attitude from candidates as a means to ensure that the move is a successful one. Candidates are now often looking for a “bedding in” phase. For the duration of their probationary period they may choose to rent accommodation, this giving them a period of time to assess local amenities and give them the opportunity to decide whether the move will be long-term and worthwhile for their family to join them.
Listgrove urges hiring companies to be supportive of those who opt to transition to a new area slowly, as their support may be pivotal to a long term employment relationship. As part of the relocation package, companies may need to support any hotel or temporary accommodation costs, something that will be greatly appreciated.
Often companies feel restricted to only offering the £8,000 tax free relocation package to new candidates, we are finding that the cost of moving is no longer covered by this amount. It would be advisable to offer an open attitude towards the supporting costs, offering something tailored to the candidate needs.
Company practice towards relocation can change in order to be more supportive and compensatory, however, government practice is also outdated and has had a domino effect on the process of relocation. The tax free £8000 relocation allowance has been in place for over 20 years, with no increase in this amount, despite inflation and the cost of social care placing a higher burden on those with young children or elderly parents which may make the cost and commitment of relocation unfeasible.
Relocation can be a very stressful situation for all parties and is hugely affected by both personal and cost issues. The UK needs a mobile workforce to support skills gaps but without the compensatory attitude and flexibility in practice, these gaps may struggle to come to a close.
For all your Recruitment and HR needs please contact Listgrove on Tel: +44(0) 1789 20 70 70 or email Email: [email protected] W: www.listgrove.com
16 The Courtyard, Timothy’s Bridge Road, Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 9NP
Listgrove Ltd - International Recruitment and Human Resource Consultants to industry since 1975
