Is Relocation a thing of the Past?

The hospitality industry has long advocated the excitement and career benefits of international relocation. Many hospitality employees point to these experiences as being huge stepping stones in their development, but has the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way the industry will be able to offer these opportunities?

Re-location, Re-location, Re-location

In April 2021, international research conducted by Wakefield Research, revealed that candidates were now more willing than ever to consider relocation. “Eighty-four percent of workers say they would relocate for work when COVID-19 is no longer prevalent throughout the world, and nearly half (46 percent) would be willing to do so internationally.”

The pandemic has been the catalyst to a giant reset. Candidates are open to and taking opportunities that they may never have considered before. For so many, the last year has encouraged people to focus on their well-being and work-life balance. With the rise in hybrid working, there is a freedom to take risks and explore the options that may have been seen as a fantasy in the past.

In Microsoft’s 2021 Work Trend Index, 41% of those surveyed suggested that they would consider leaving their job in the next year. While this figure may be alarming in terms of retention, it is clear that there will be an international scramble to lure the very best talent. In a hybrid world, this talent is everywhere.

Re-location Roadblocks

However, whilst relocation and international opportunities are likely to be popular amongst candidates as the pandemic eases, there are likely to be some new challenges for employers looking to recruit candidates who need to relocate.

  • Employee wellbeing – There has always been a responsibility on the employer to ensure the well-being of candidates who are relocating, but there are likely to be additional considerations in the post-pandemic world.
  • Brexit – For relocation between the UK and the EU, there is now the points-based immigration system to now consider following Brexit, meaning that it’s harder for EU citizens to relocate to the UK.  This is having a huge impact for the hospitality industry, as applicants coming to the UK to work must be paid at least £25,600 a year. For entry-level roles across the hospitality sector, this is precluding many talented candidates the opportunity to relocate.

Even with these additional roadblocks, we are confident that relocation remains a popular and important factor in international recruitment – there are just new variables to navigate.

The team at FM Recruitment are specialists in international financial recruitment at all levels and we have strong relationships with international relocation partners, who can advise and support businesses.

For support with your next career move or to improve your recruitment strategy, please contact FM Recruitment now using any of the below details:

Office +44 20 8600 1160 I Email fm@fmrecruitment.co.uk
Chris Denison Smith +44 7775 711923 I Email chrisdenisonsmith@fmrecruitment.co.uk
Andrea Shaw +44 7714 236469 I Email andreashaw@fmrecruitment.co.uk

 

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