Relocation Fundamentals Course

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Price

$250

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A Guide for HR, Real Estate, and Relocation professionals new to the Mobility industry.

Course Summary

Relocation Fundamentals is a four-hour foundational course introducing HR professionals, realtors, and mobility practitioners to the essential principles, terminology, and practices of corporate relocation. It explains how relocation programs are structured, administered, and supported—emphasizing the human, financial, and operational elements that ensure successful employee moves.

Learner Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Explain the purpose and structure of relocation programs and policies.
Identify the key benefits, stakeholders, and service providers involved in relocation.
Describe the relocation process from initiation through completion, including taxation and gross-up concepts.
Recognize common challenges faced by relocating employees and strategies to manage expectations and stress.
Apply foundational knowledge to support employees or manage relocation cases effectively.

Key Topics

The corporate context and definition of relocation
Relocation benefits and policy design (lump sum, managed cap, core-flex)
The relocation supply chain and role of Relocation Management Companies (RMCs)
Taxation, gross-up, and compliance fundamentals
International relocation overview
Benchmarking, technology, and the future of mobility
Professional development and industry resources

Total Estimated Course Duration 4 Hours

4 hours for most learners, up to 6 hours with full interaction and reflection

Core Content 2.5 Hours

Breakdown of Core Content

Instructional Videos: 1 hour and 50 minutes

Reading: 30 minutes of reading examples, infographics and segments

Assessment 1.5 Hours

Breakdown of Assessment

Quizzes: 30 minutes to an hour total of four content quizzes

Exam: 1 hour time limit

Supplementary (Optional) Interactive Sections 2 – 2.5 Hours

Breakdown of Interactive time

Reflection Scenarios: 1 – 2 hours

Downloadable instructional video Companion Workbook with reflection scenarios integrated: 30 minutes to 1 hour

One of the major factors that should be considered when developing mobility strategy is:

● Number of employees
● Internal politics
● Corporate culture✅
● Availability of providers

The Employee Relocation Real Estate Advisory Council (ERREAC) was the predecessor for which modern day organization:

● National Association of Appraisers
● Worldwide ERC®✅
● National Association of Realtors
● Relocation Directors Council

What is the purpose of a hardship allowance?

● To reward employees for excellent performance abroad
● To cover unforeseen cultural training expenses
● To compensate for challenging location conditions✅
● To cover transportation and airline tickets

Why might mobile employees hesitate to disclose eldercare concerns to their employers?

● They are unaware of available resources
● They fear being discriminated against or seen as less committed✅
● Employers do not offer eldercare assistance programs

● They prefer to handle these issues privately

What is one of the biggest challenges in a group move?

● Hiring new employees immediately
● Maintaining business continuity before and after the move✅
● Ensuring that all employees relocate
● Reducing salaries to cut costs

What is a common mistake buyers make in the RFP process?

● Choosing too few bidders
● Asking too many unnecessary questions✅
● Eliminating some service providers before the bidding starts
● Asking about “soft” metrics like transferee satisfaction

How does the inverse method of gross-up calculation differ from the flat method?

● It accounts for additional tax liability by grossing up the gross-up✅
● It applies the same percentage to all employees regardless of income
● It only considers federal tax rates
● It excludes payroll taxes from the calculation

What role does forecasting play in the relocation appraisal process?

● Predicting long-term property values
● Estimating future market conditions during the marketing period✅
● Determining historical appreciation rates
● Determining income tax impact for gross-up

Why do mobility professionals consider Buyer Value Option (BVO) transactions to warrant favorable tax treatment?

● Because BVO transactions have been ruled as non-taxable in previous IRS guidance.
● Because BVO transactions do not involve an employer or relocation company.
● Because the analysis in Ruling 2005-74 of Amended Value transactions generally applies to BVOs.✅
● Because the IRS considers BVO to be outside their scope.