For most professionals, accepting a relocation offer is not a decision they make alone. Nor is relocation a solo adventure.

Many candidates and employees live with a spouse or domestic partner, who often have careers of their own. For this reason, savvy employers offer relocation benefits designed with couples and families in mind.                                         

These particular benefits can make a critical difference, from job acceptance rates to long-term retention rates—both of which may hinge on a partner’s happiness quota.

There’s a reason they’re called “significant others.” And it’s time they received some attention of their own.  

Two-by-Two: Couples Relocation by the Numbers      

According to Pew Research, six out of 10 adults between the ages of 25-54 have a spouse or partner. And per the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), about half of married couples are dual-income families.

Tally it up, and that’s a whole big bunch of people who are asked to relocate for their better half, often at the expense of their own career.  

No wonder many candidates decline otherwise appealing relocation offers: their spouse or partner simply isn’t on board. Similarly, when relocations fail—i.e., when a relocated employee bails mid-assignment—it’s usually because their mates/families haven’t acclimated to the new environment.

This phenomenon is sometimes referred to as “trailing spouse syndrome” (a phrase we promise not to mention again). Whatever you call it, it’s the reason why employers should bend over backward to treat spouses and partners with care and consideration—before, during, and after the move.

Relocation Benefits for Spouses and Partners

The objective of offering relocation benefits geared to spouses and domestic partners is twofold: 1) to ease the relocation process and 2) to help them acclimate to their new home.

Such benefits may include:

• Pre-relocation assistance, such as providing valuable information about the new area, including real estate facts, demographics, schools, recreational highlights, etc.
• Orientation/house-hunting trips that include personalized tours and home-buying visits.
• In the event of international relocations, cultural and language training, as well as guidance regarding visas and immigration law.
• Settling-in services, including help opening bank accounts, registering kids in school, and recommendations for everything from grocery stores to healthcare providers.

In addition, these benefits may include career assistance for spouses and domestic partners who seek employment in their new city. Such career assistance may include support with resume writing and interviewing, introductions/networking opportunities, and traditional job placement services.