Belonging Begins Before Day One: How Relocation Support Sets the Tone for New Hires in Healthcare

Clan, tribe, posse …whatever you call it, humans are born with the need to belong.

Ever since our Neanderthal ancestors realized that banding together improved their chance of survival, the need to be part of a group was hardwired into our psyches.

So, when a human—say, a healthcare professional—accepts a job that requires relocation, they’re taking a huge risk, exchanging their familiar circle for the unknown.

The sooner you can make those new hires feel like they belong, the more successful they’ll be. But here’s the catch: once the job offer has been accepted, most of your new hire’s next interactions will be with…your relocation company.

First impressions matter. That’s why it’s important to know that your relocation provider is acting as your welcome committee in every respect, every step of the way.

The Power of a Positive Start

It’s a given that relocation providers focus on the logistical aspects of a move. How to plan it. How to fund it. How to speed things along. But beyond the logistical, psychological elements matter, too.

Think about it. Starting a new high-stakes job. Moving to an unfamiliar city. Uprooting your family. Becoming the outsiders.

That’s why turnover rates for relocated professionals are higher than those of their local peers. Failure to acclimate—to attain that sense of belonging—is the primary reason that relocations fail.

In order to go the distance, relocating healthcare professionals need more than assistance pulling off their physical move. They need holistic relocation support that helps them feel at home.

Hallmarks of Holistic Relocation Support

At UrbanBound, we’ve built our relocation solution around the dual objective of simplifying relocation and helping employees adjust (and of course, saving employers time and money, too). That’s why our program includes:

An In-depth Intro to the Community

Incoming employees and families have many, many questions about their soon-to-be area. What’s the character of the nearby towns and neighborhoods? Where are the best schools? What’s the scoop on local sports, shopping, dining and amenities, etc.

We make sure that we have the answers. Because our relocation solution is software-based, we can provide easy access to curated hyperlocal information outsiders are hard-pressed to find on their own. This allows employees to get to know their community before they arrive—and make better decisions as a result.

Expert House-hunting Help

For many incoming professionals, finding the right home—in the right neighborhood—tops their priority list.

So, in addition to all that good local information, we pair them with top local real-estate agents who specialize in relocation and can help them find their match. In addition, we connect them with trusted mortgage partners that offer discounted interest rates and additional perks.

A Little Pro-active Onboarding

Industry research shows that a strong onboarding program will improve employee performance and retention—which is why there’s a place on our platform for you to start some early onboarding. Here, you can introduce your new hires to your organization in all its glory, from your culture and values to your standards and expectations.

Time-saving Tips from Co-Workers

When it comes to fitting in, it always comes down to our peers. No wonder one of the most popular features of the UrbanBound platform is Co-Worker Insights, a collection of real-life tips from colleagues to incoming coworkers.

Like: Where does everyone like to eat? Work out? What’s the best (and worst) commuting routes? These invaluable nuggets save newbies months of acclimation time, while giving them a sense of who their coworkers are.

Support for Families 

When it comes to adjusting to a new area, some families need more support than others—especially when cultural differences are at play. From spousal employment assistance to cultural training, these personalized support services help families adapt, in a friendly, low-stress way.