With the rollout of remote work seen around the globe over the last few years, it is growing ever-more common for employees to take their role overseas. As with any transition, personal or professional, the change can bring benefits and challenges in equal measure.
With adequate time allocated to planning and preparing for the move, the process can be streamlined for all involved. Not only will this ease the transition for your employee, but it can also aid in boosting work productivity in the long run as they settle into their new home.
Here, we have pieced together some key factors to consider when preparing your team members for their relocation to Hong Kong.
Benefits of Employee Relocation
In the modern world of remote work, when properly executed, a corporate relocation to Hong Kong can serve to benefit both the employer and the employee.
Employee satisfaction
Since remote work has become commonplace, many professionals have come to recognise the opportunities that the concept presents. It creates a space where employees can travel and gain international experience without the need to take leave, or quit their jobs entirely. Facilitating your team members’ relocation to Hong Kong will likely enhance their job satisfaction, therefore improving their performance, all while gaining new life experiences.
Promoting diversity while gaining international presence
If your company already has offices here, then relocating international staff to Hong Kong can be a great way to improve cultural diversity within the office. If this is not the case, then introducing an employee to this new environment can develop a presence here for your business. This can help to lay the groundwork for any future expansion.
Planning and Preparing Employees for Relocation
Preparation is the key to any successful move, especially if language and cultural changes are involved.
Language and Culture
Upon their relocation to Hong Kong, employees will have an easier time settling in if they know what to expect when they arrive. Preparing them through cultural education and Cantonese language classes will help to achieve this. The need for this will depend on where your employees are coming from, as some surrounding countries have similar cultures and values, so will require less preparation.
Housing
Finding housing is always a stressful part of relocating. By arranging temporary accommodation for your employees, or helping with the logistics or financial aspects of finding long-term housing, you can help to alleviate this strain. Given the size and population density of Hong Kong, it’s no surprise that finding a place in this bustling city can be a daunting process. We recommend starting out by looking into the areas where other expats tend to gravitate towards; the Peak, Pokfulam, Stanley, Sai Kung, and Clear Water Bay. For more information on potential areas for your employees to live, see our guide on the best places for expats to live in Hong Kong.
Work Culture
Hong Kong has a very traditional work culture, which may come as a shock to the system, particularly for employees relocating from Western countries. The work ethic and environment here is considered to be a fusion of Chinese and Western work cultures. That being said, it is imperative for workers to be well-versed in the expectations set in Hong Kong work spaces.
Professional Hierarchy
One of the most important things to recognize here is the hierarchy that exists in companies. Superiors and business partners should always be addressed by their title and surname, ensuring that the pronunciation is correct. In meetings and business settings, employees should always greet the most senior person first with a handshake and a slight bow of the head, and then work their way down through the ranks of seniority.
Business Attire
Many professional environments in Hong Kong require employees to wear professional business attire; shirts, blouses, pants, skirts, and jackets. Watches and jewellery may be worn, but be aware that others will likely take note of the brand and value of the piece, using that to gauge your societal and professional status. Clothing should be predominantly neutral in colour, bearing in mind that many colours have particular meanings in Chinese culture; red signifies luck, and could be worn in important meetings, whereas white is associated with periods of mourning.
Work and Life Balance
This is an area that many may find difficult after relocating to Hong Kong. While the working week in most Western countries is between 35 to 40 hours, the average working week in Hong Kong is upwards of 50 hours. Long days are common, and at times, employees may be expected to work on Saturdays, too. This fast-paced, results-oriented approach to work creates a significantly more intense environment than your employees may be accustomed to. Preparing them for this by setting clear expectations for them can prevent them from becoming overwhelmed and burnt out.
Contact Us
When the planning and preparation is done and it’s time for your employees’ move,
Allied's packing and moving experts will be ready to help.
Contact the Allied Hong Kong team to find out how we can help you and your team members throughout the process or
get a quote from our corporate relocation team today.