b"WOMEN IN RELOCATIONThis focus on family wellbeing is alsoIt can be a big menu, too. While someto find support if youre facing personal why women assignees place slightlywomen may look for house-hunting tripschallenges like divorce or single parenting more emphasis on relocation servicesor support for finding the right neigh- abroad. These arent topics people talk that provide that extra degree of safety,bourhoods and schools for their children,about enough, but they come up often in stability and work-life balance. Accordingothers may flip the page to healthcaremy coaching work.to the Global Mobility Survey, the topassistance for their aging parents, career-motivating incentives for women includefinding services for their partners, orRAISING A HANDguarantees for temporary housing (67%provisions that would help them continueCanada is home to a rich and diverse pool female / 66% male), employer-paid tripstheir fitness and nutritional practices inof talented female professionals. While back home to see family (70% female /their new destination.the statistics indicate more are taking 68% male), or opportunities to find greaterSo the best relocation packages, sayson assignments, mobility specialists like work-life balance through remote orUrritia, are designed when women have aUrritia and Weinberger are quick to say hybrid work arrangements (67% female /chance to voice their bespoke needs. Forthat the demographic can still fall under 64% male).example, I personally don't want to do athe radar.Also interesting is that 77 per cent ofvirtual destination tour. I can do that usingWomen are constantly overlooked based female assignees say diversity, equity andGoogle by myself. I want someone who ison where we think they are in their life, inclusion policies influence their willing- knowledgeable about the area Im movingsays Urritia. For example, I have a five-ness to relocate compared to just 72 perintomaybe a mom of a similar age childyear-old. If my boss had just assumed that cent of male respondents.who could tell me the best parks to takeI didnt want to relocate instead of asking Similarly, women are slightly more incen- my son to or walk me through my optionsmeor knowing me well enough to know for school. that Id raise my hand for any assignment tivized by the provision of support services that can help them make a smooth andSupporting women on assignments isanywherethey would have missed out. secure transition to their new locations. Itsabout more than money. It's also aboutWe need to be asking those questions and why their preferences for education andensuring women are supported wellcreating opportunities for self-selection.language training, moving services, andbeyond their first day on the job and haveBias isnt the only barrier, Urritia continues. short-term housing assistance rank amonga network they can turn to when chal-their top-most relocation support services.lenges arise. Weinberger notes: WhenWomen dont raise their hands enough. I used to travel for business in the earlyWe dont advocate well for ourselves, and Speaking from experience, Weinberger2000s, I was often the only woman in thewere often overlooked because of that. says: One of the things thats probablybreakfast room. That experience staysUntil we start tapping womenand espe-different from men is the concern forwith you. Its about how to connect withcially women of colourwere doing our personal safety and securityand thatsother women on assignment, and wherecompanies a disservice. especially true if the woman is travelling alone. For example, I had a lot of young female assignees, and I would always make sure that when they arrived at the airport, they had a pickup. Its the simplest thing for an employer to organize, and so are things like ensuring they have a serviced apartment in a safe area for the first two months so they don't have to worry about where to stay.Youd think these things would be self-evident, but theyre not always, Wein-berger adds.EMPHASIS ON CHOICEHow can employers design a one-size-fits-all relocation package that addresses every female assignees needs, regardless of her age, family status, and values? As most relocation professionals would conclude, you dont. Here is where more flexible models such as core flex policies comeinto play.I like to call it the box of chocolate approach, says Weinberger. We have an overall budgetlets say $20,000and within that budget, you can choose the services you need: expat partner support, pet support, education consultation, household goods moves, storage, or rental furniture. [Its] almost like choosing from a menu.Winter 2025PERSPECTIVES25"