In decades gone by, job relocation was seen as a natural requirement of career-minded employees. You often had to move to a different city or country to find the best roles, new opportunities, and higher pay. Now, though, the world is changing, and the appeal of job relocation is changing right along with it.
Interested to know more about the decline in job relocation? We’ve taken a closer look at what’s causing the shift in employee mindset, helping employers move with the times.
Interested to know more about the decline in job relocation? We’ve taken a closer look at what’s causing the shift in employee mindset, helping employers move with the times.
Looking at the statistics
In a survey of 500 business leaders, 64% reported having an employee decline to relocate in the past year. Another study found that only 29% of high-income, highly educated individuals would relocate for their career, and this drops to just over 15% in lower income brackets.
To put these figures in perspective, over a third of all employees were willing to relocate for work in the 1980s, regardless of their education or pay level.
The simple truth? Employees just don’t want to move to chase a career anymore.
On the other hand (and most definitely related), there’s been a soaring increase in the desire to work remotely in the years since the pandemic. Half of all British employees, for instance, now work from home, with around 30% wanting to move to their home office full-time.
The striking difference between the uptake of relocation and remote working starts to paint a picture of the new global workforce.
To put these figures in perspective, over a third of all employees were willing to relocate for work in the 1980s, regardless of their education or pay level.
The simple truth? Employees just don’t want to move to chase a career anymore.
On the other hand (and most definitely related), there’s been a soaring increase in the desire to work remotely in the years since the pandemic. Half of all British employees, for instance, now work from home, with around 30% wanting to move to their home office full-time.
The striking difference between the uptake of relocation and remote working starts to paint a picture of the new global workforce.
How has remote work affected relocation?
The rise in technology that enables employees to work from home has definitely had an effect on relocation. People know that employers don’t necessarily need them to come into the office for a lot of roles, so why should they move if they don’t have to?
They can attend video meetings, collaborate on projects over cloud-based systems, and stay in touch via Slack. This makes the idea of relocating a whole lot harder to justify.
Remote work brings so many perks to employees that it’s easy to see its appeal. There’s no time-wasting commute, fewer distractions from other people, and individuals can better schedule their day around their routine. Making remote working especially attractive to high-performers that want to avoid burnout.
Remote technology has also increased the number of potential jobs available for employees who don’t need to be on-site. Without the constraints of geography, they can be hired by businesses around the world without having to leave their living room. Why, then, would they relocate?
They can attend video meetings, collaborate on projects over cloud-based systems, and stay in touch via Slack. This makes the idea of relocating a whole lot harder to justify.
Remote work brings so many perks to employees that it’s easy to see its appeal. There’s no time-wasting commute, fewer distractions from other people, and individuals can better schedule their day around their routine. Making remote working especially attractive to high-performers that want to avoid burnout.
Remote technology has also increased the number of potential jobs available for employees who don’t need to be on-site. Without the constraints of geography, they can be hired by businesses around the world without having to leave their living room. Why, then, would they relocate?
Family matters to employees
Many individuals also have families to think of. Relocating for work can mean moving their partner and children, which a lot of employees simply don’t want to do.
If they can’t work remotely, the partner will also have to find a new job, and the children will need to be enrolled in a different school. Local friends and family will be left behind, as well, making the thought of relocation an understandably daunting prospect for many.
If they can’t work remotely, the partner will also have to find a new job, and the children will need to be enrolled in a different school. Local friends and family will be left behind, as well, making the thought of relocation an understandably daunting prospect for many.
Employees no longer live to work
Another factor that’s playing a part in reduced relocation is a changing mindset. More employees are embracing the fact that there’s more to life than work.
In Britain, the percentage of people who think less importance should be placed on careers rose from 26% to 42% between 1981 and 2022. In Canada, it rose from 24% to 40%, and in Germany, from 30% to 45%.
A rising number of people don’t live to work anymore. Chasing career opportunities isn’t a high priority which, in turn, makes relocating for a job far less appealing.
In Britain, the percentage of people who think less importance should be placed on careers rose from 26% to 42% between 1981 and 2022. In Canada, it rose from 24% to 40%, and in Germany, from 30% to 45%.
A rising number of people don’t live to work anymore. Chasing career opportunities isn’t a high priority which, in turn, makes relocating for a job far less appealing.
How employers can keep up with the change
As an employer, the decline in job relocation doesn’t have to mean the narrowing of your talent pool. Instead, you can adapt your business to suit the mindset of the modern workforce.
The simplest way to do this is by enabling remote work. Creating systems that remove the need for coming into the office brings a whole fleet of benefits, including:
- Making you a more desirable employer
- Helping you secure top talent
- Reducing expenses spent on office premises (including rent or a mortgage, and building maintenance)
- The ability to hire globally
- Greater employee satisfaction
Crucially, it also reduces the need for employees to relocate. If you’ve found top talent for your team but they’re based in another city, county, state, or country, remote capabilities mean you won’t have to miss out on hiring them.
This doesn’t have to be difficult, either. With WorkMotion by your side, you can hire, onboard, and pay global employees with ease, streamlining your remote work systems for excellent management of a team that doesn’t need to relocate.
This doesn’t have to be difficult, either. With WorkMotion by your side, you can hire, onboard, and pay global employees with ease, streamlining your remote work systems for excellent management of a team that doesn’t need to relocate.
Final thoughts
There’s no doubt that job relocation has lost its appeal, but that doesn’t mean employers need to suffer. We hope this article has shown you how hiring remotely can help your business thrive in the modern world.
For more advice, book a demo with WorkMotion and see how clever software can help you find and hire talent around the world.
For more advice, book a demo with WorkMotion and see how clever software can help you find and hire talent around the world.
