b'RELOCATION POLICIESfinding a play to stay, says Tracey Rennie, vice president of global talent mobility with Cartus. For instance, a lot of theIn terms of remote and hybrid work, it has been companies we work with have always had minor mortgage interest differential allowance (MIDA) within their policy,nearly three years since this shifted into high gear, but its not something theyve had to use very often. Now, though, its kicking back into action and is a topic that every singleyet the jury is still out on how this will impact one of my clients with a large home sale program is engaging us on. mobility policies moving forwardHefford has also observed clients extending temporary accommodations for employees in more challenging real estatecontinues. Many people got attached toFor example, mobility professionals are markets: Todays market is such that iftheir pets over the pandemic, so now whenseeing a greater shift from prescribed youre not boots-on-the-ground at thethey\'re being asked to move, they andbenefits to core/flex policies that provide destination city and putting an offer in ontheir family want assurances that thoseemployees with far more choice levels a home in person, then your offer isntpets will be taken care of. than what existed in the past. This gives going to be accepted or someone is goingemployees the ability to create more indi-to beat you to the sale. Thats why a lot ofRennie has also observed employersvidualized experiences while making the our corporate clients are spending a littlegetting more creative with the add-ons:best, most focused use of theirbit more on temporary accommodationsWe see the pet perks coming up as well asemployers funds. to get people physically in place at theirthings like the inclusion of a first grocery destination early so that they can have ashop, an Amazon Prime subscription, andAs Rennie explains: Core/flex policies better chance in the process. other incentives that are being added toprovide the options to add benefits that create feel-good experiences for employeeswill appeal to certain individuals or popu-As for furnishing those accommodationsthat may have a low cost but make a lations. Of course, the other great win with and making them comfortable for talent,big impact. a core/flex policy is that it\'s very inclusive it is no surprise that current supply chainand enables you to meet a diverse setobstacles and labour shortages are shapingIn terms of remote and hybrid work, it hasof needs.policies around the shipment of been nearly three years since this shiftedThe mobility industry is in constant flux, household goods.into high gear, yet the jury is still out onand todays trends might fade. But while how this will impact mobility policiespolicies around pets, house-hunting, Right now, clients are looking at amoving forward. Were still really waitinghousehold goods and remote work are number of solutions and policy adjust- to see what the impact of remote work isalways evolving, one thing that seems ments to deal with challenges of gettinggoing to be, reports Rennie. The lastevident is that the trend towards greater household goods from one destination tocouple of years haven\'t given us enoughflexibility has become the rule rather than the next, says Rennie. Theyre doing allinformation to assess the long-termthe exception. the obvious things like providing as muchimpacts and needs because, frankly, were lead time as possible. But were definitelystill dealing with the pandemic. The desire to build flexibility into a seeing a shift towards small air shipmentsmobility policy is not going away. I dont which get there more quickly. And then,Rennie adds that while several trends arethink we can call it a trend anymore, with air freight costs increasing signifi- emerging around workplace models, it willRennie says. cantly, we\'re also seeing more interest inbe some time before a long-term solution lump sum payments, which is also tied totakes shape: We are seeing our clientsAlso here to stay is the enhanced level the demographics were supporting today. navigate their own work structure poli- of partnerships between organizations, cies, but it still remains to be seen whatmobility professionals and relocation CREATIVE PERKS that long-term impact will be on mobilityservice providers, which helped employers In the war for talent, every incentivevolumes and mobility practices. navigate the pandemic and will continue to counts. For this reason, one of the morebe the best source of innovative, effective interesting trends to emerge during theBUDGETARY CONCERNS and cost-friendly mobility solutions. talent crunch is a growing focus on findingCost control is never far from the mobilityTheres a real trend towards partnerships, unique or individualized add-ons to thediscussion. That makes sense given recentand I use that word in the truest sense, mobility experience. struggles and predictions of a short butsays Hefford. Companies are trying to Things that used to be considered perksimpactful recession. To offset addedpartner with relocation companies that are now necessities," suggests Hefford.expenses (e.g., housing, perks) or controlare flexible, nimble, and willing to colour For example, more and more clientsoverall costs, many companies are gettingoutside the lines to make sure that theyre are opting to provide employees withmore flexible and creative with their poli- open-minded enough to shift with the employee well-being apps, such as ourcies. As companies attempt to balancetimes. When it comes to policies or the own third-party Sprout platform, whichtheir fiscal responsibility with their busi- program in general, people are realizing supports their employees well after theyness priorities, theyre looking at ways tothe traditional Weve always done it this way land in their destination. enrich their policies without necessarilymethod isn\'t an effective way of keeping adding cost, says Rennie. This is whereup with the times, and that you always Were also seeing a lot of perks and poli- we see flexible mobility coming into have to be adapting to provide better and cies to do with pets these days, Heffordits own. better mobility experiences.Winter 2022PERSPECTIVES13'