One-Third of Employers Will Pay Relocation

As 2012 ushers in a still highly competitive job market, more workers may be looking beyond their own backyard for employment options. In a nationwide study by CareerBuilder, 44% of workers said they would be willing to relocate for a career opportunity. Of workers who were laid off in the last year and found new jobs, 20% relocated to a new city or state.

At the same time, employers struggling to find workers for skilled positions said they are willing to bring talent to their locations. Thirty-two percent reported they would be willing to pay to relocate employees in 2012. Nineteen percent would be willing to pay a smaller first year salary in order to give a signing bonus to relocate an employee. The survey was based on responses from more than 3,000 employers and more than 7,000

The survey also showed that employers are most likely to pay relocation costs for employees in occupations tied to technology and revenue generation. The top areas:

• Engineering30%
• Information technology23%
• Business development21%
• Sale: 21%
• Financial16%
• Marketing13%
• Legal11%

The vast majority of workers who relocated in the last year (77%) reported they were happy with the move and didn’t regret the decision. Of those workers who relocated, 41% said their family didn’t relocate with them and they have to travel to see them.

CBIA’s Personnel Policies Survey Report includes data on relocation practices among Connecticut employers, as well as a range of other human resource policies and practices. Cost to CBIA members: $85; nonmembers: $140. For more information, visit cbia.com or contact Phillip Montgomery at 860.244.1982 or phillip.montgomery@cbia.com.