Problem solved – reluctant traveller

I’ve been asked by my employer to move to another part of the country and I really don’t want to go. What can I do?

NEW START?

Look closely at the reasons why your employer wants you to move and compare these to the reasons you have for wanting to stay. Which set of circumstances appears the more compelling? If you believe your personal reasons for staying are strong enough to excuse you from a relocation, then make your employer aware of these. For example, perhaps you now have family or financial commitments which you didn’t have when you first took the job.

While clarifying why you don’t want to move, suggest alternatives that will help solve the problem your reluctance might cause. A physical presence is no longer essential for all jobs: e-working could be worth exploring further, or (if practical) you could offer to split your time between two locations.

Be aware that if you turn down the chance to work elsewhere, you may never be offered the opportunity again. This is particularly important if the move is also a promotion – weigh up the personal and financial benefits against the factors that make you want to stay where you are. Also, check whether job mobility is actually one of your contractual obligations. If you signed up to a contract which included a clause stating you were happy to work elsewhere, then turning down a move could mean talking yourself out of a job.

Should you end up having to go, do it with good grace and look at the positive side. A move is a chance to start again, to re-invent yourself, and to experience a new city, culture, even a new country – all while having someone else (generally) pay your moving bills. If you have a strong attachment to the current area, tell yourself that your move is just a temporary displacement. View it as providing an opportunity to gain experience which will enable you to come back ‘home’ to a better paid job.

 

"Be aware that if you turn down the chance to work elsewhere, you may never be offered the opportunity again"