Relocating an Employee Within the United States

MOVING

Once disengaged from their old home, the relocating family must travel to their new home and their personal effects need to be shipped.

Household Goods Shipment

Moving household goods is an expensive endeavor.

The mover should be contacted at least 90 days before the move (if possible). Some companies allow the employee to choose the mover. However, most companies assign a mover to the employee. Companies usually use two or more movers to perform employee transfers.

The choice is based on:

• costs
• service
• geographical coverage

Relocation Program

A number of issues on moving household goods must be transparent and clearly explained in order to keep the cost of moving within limits.

Weight limits

Most companies don’t impose weight limits since the amount of household goods a person has is a function of:

• age
• marital status
• other personal characteristics

Companies that do have limits usually place them between 10,000 and 35,000 pounds.

Excluded items

Some household items cannot, or need not, be transported because it’s illegal or uneconomical.

Further, perishable items such as plants shouldn’t be included.

Pets

Household goods carriers cannot transport pets under federal regulations. If pets are to be included, specially licensed companies must transport them.

These issues must be considered in a pet policy:

• Should pets be included in moving costs?
• How many and what kind(s) of pets will be included?
• Will the company pay for temporary boarding?

Automobiles

The relocating family will usually travel to the new site in one of their own cars. But most families have two cars. Will the company pay for the transport of a second car or a recreational vehicle? If so, how?

Storage

The company usually pays for storage until the employee has traveled to the new site and is ready to move into the new home. (Storage may be at the old site or at the new site.) However, some companies have policies that limit storage time. This may encourage the employee to finalize new housing plans sooner rather than later.

Special handling

The cost of moving can be much higher when there is a lot of crating or items that require special handling. Some companies limit the number of special items to hold down costs.