I work for company A, which is being taken over by company B. My group has a parallel unit in B, and while I’m sure we’ll be adopting B’s methods of business, it seems they want to keep a number of company A people around. Recently my boss asked me if I had any interest in relocating. Currently I live in X, a major Eastern market where I work for a sub-unit of a larger A group. The relocation options I’ve been given are Y, a much smaller regional Eastern market where most of my A group is located, and Z, a major Western market where there are lots of B people. X is my hometown, where I have family and friends. X and Y are within reasonable driving distance, X and Z are not, but personally I would much rather live in Z than Y. In a better economy and financial industry, I’d say screw it and start looking in X. Complicating matters is that I have passed all three of the CFA exams but I need another year of work experience to get the charter. I really, really, really want the charter. My current job description easily qualifies. My instinct is to reply by saying that I would consider relocation while stressing that it is not ideal. I see no upside either to saying I’d definitely like it or to say no way. Theoretically it’s possible that they keep us where we are. I’m curious to hear any advice or points I may be missing. If I refuse relocation, either outright now or later after further consideration, does that play tricks with any severance I could get?
If Z is on the west coast and the other two on the east, I’d pick Z in a heartbeat.
Your course of action sounds like a good bet. It’s hard to move away from your hometown, but it is even harder to give up a job in this economy. I would word it so that if it is completely necessary that you go, you’ll do it, but if not, you’d prefer to stay in area A. Good luck!
If I’m offered relocation and I refuse, does that mean they don’t have to give me severance if I get laid off? Just wondering.
cali is chill.
Move to Asia.
pimp Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Move to Asia. where would you like to live in asia?
OK, now might be a good time to mention that not every guy on here is 25 and single. If I were, then the West Coast would be very, very appealing. But seriously, I want to know. What would be a typical relocation package to aid such a move, if I went through with it? And if I don’t want to be relocated, does that screw with any severance I might get? Personally, I see no point in trying to relocate my sub-unit from X to Y or Z, because I don’t see where the cost savings are coming from, unless the point is to make us an offer that they’ll know we turn down so they can cut us loose. But if that’s the point, why not just cut us loose and quit the flirting?
Frisian I can understand wanting to stay put, but if most of your new B colleagues are in Z there may be more long term opportunities there. I’ve been relocated several times and the package really depends on the company. I would say at a minimum a trip to visit and find a place, cost to move your belongings and temporary housing for a few weeks if necessary. Some really large companies will help you sell your house, but I think this is increasingly rare. Also some companies will just give you a lump sum of money and let you spend it as you see fit. In general all this is taxable income so companies will usually gross it up, so you don’t end up owing any taxes. Again severance vs. relocation will depend on the company. If you refuse relocation then in effect you quit and they don’t have to give you severance, but in practice most companies I’ve worked at will offer you severance. My company used to offer severance vs. relocation, but now its just severance 
I moved away from the east coast when I was 36 with a wife and kid. Life is particularly good on the west coast for those with families and even geezers like myself.
I was considering making a move to Q from G after considering P and N also, but company S is offering K while Y and R are not giving me J-U which would be O*W more than what I need in D. What should I do?
I think you’re on the right track. Tell them you’d be open to the idea for the right opportunity. Moving away from family and friends is tough, especially if you’ve got a spouse and kids. I’ve done it a few times, and might be doing it again soon. This really isn’t a good time to put your continued employment in jeopardy, so keep your options open. It’s okay to mention a preference for staying where you are at, as long as you indicate a willingness to consider other options.
That’s the approach I took. We’ll see. Some reading suggests that I would get severance if I refused to relocate. I also think that company B would play things by the book in relocation packages, etc. I’m not worried about getting a fair relocation package, if it comes to that. But it’s very frustrating to be an analyst and not know what calculations they’re making regarding my employment. If they’re serious about keeping all of my sub-unit then it makes sense to keep us where we are. Alas, the point that sticks for me is that I’m only owed three months severance if I get laid off.
I think I know where you work…But at any rate, usually unless you are offered a similair position in your city at around you current pay, you would get severance. I highly doubt they will just fire you while laying off others. Would be a bad PR move and might casue other talent to jump ship if possible knowing they treat people like that.
Agreed. The company can change its severance po0licy to whatever it wants at any time, but it’s very unlikely this is a ploy to get out of severance pay. Not that any big corporation is above such a dastardly strategy, but rather it would cause other problems that aren’t worth the cost or effort.