Relocation is rarely just about the employee; it’s about the entire family. And if family members (including pets!) aren’t properly supported, the chance of a smooth, successful transition drops dramatically.

Yet, among Weichert’s current clients, fewer than 40% include full family support in their provisions for temporary living. What was once a stop-gap benefit when the employee needed to report to work before the family was ready to move, temporary living support has become a critical need for the entire family, particularly when the timing of origin and destination housing doesn’t align. With family issues consistently cited as one of the top three reasons for refused or failed transfers, companies have been assessing all areas where smart policy changes can help alleviate these issues. 

Research Confirms that Employee Needs Are Changing

Intriguingly, in a recent Customer Insight session conducted by Weichert featuring feedback from nearly 1,500 employees, more respondents reported moving with a pet than with a child. While not every employee population is the same, it is indisputable that the definition of family and the importance of pets have changed significantly among today’s workforce.  

Often aggravated by housing shortages, delays in household goods, and other circumstances beyond the employee’s control, finding safe and comfortable housing for the entire family (including pets) is no small task. And doing it in a tight timeline under pressure rarely produces ideal results. That’s why adequate standard temporary living policy provisions are so important in making happy, successful transitions a reality.  

A Holistic Approach to Employee Support

Weichert Corporate Housing has been staying ahead of these trends, ensuring that our property portfolio continually reflects the needs and demands of our corporate clients.  With nearly 25% of their bookings including a family member besides the employee, over 50% of our properties offer 2, 3 or more-bedroom units and nearly 50% are pet-friendly! And far from just bedroom count and pet policies, these properties offer significant amenities that truly cater to families including: 

  • Playgrounds
  • Swimming pools
  • Sports courts (tennis, basketball, pickle ball) 
  • Playrooms with video games, billiards, table games (ping pong, air hockey, etc.) 
  • Movie theatres 
  • Grilling facilities 
  • Outdoor space 
  • Dog play/wash areas 
  • Bike storage 

The bottom line? Competition for talent is at an all-time high and temporary living consistently ranks as one of the top two exception requests across all companies. If your program excludes family from temporary living benefits, it may be time to take a deeper look at your activity data.  From flexible options to expanded benefits, there are likely opportunities to remove friction from the process by making some small (or big!) changes to this critical service component. 

Need help with that? Connect with Marian Sauers at msauers@weichertch.com to learn more about how we can ensure your employee’s accompanying family members (furry friends included) are supported with a smart policy and best-in-class temporary housing solutions!