With 23.1 per cent of US adults experiencing a mental health condition in 2022, according to the country’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, mental health and wellbeing is a topic firmly on the business agenda. The process of moving – and being moved – can put a considerable strain on moving company employees and transferees relocating abroad. So, can the industry do more to help its workforce? Andrew Bennett investigates
Moving is said to be one of the most stressful experiences in a person’s life, partly because it is the only occasion when people have strangers coming into their home, touching and moving their personal effects and working up close in their personal space and that of their family.
For this reason, when problems occur, the moving experience can become a powder keg, sparking intense emotional reactions. Transferees and their families can become seriously stressed, while moving crews and other employees can be on the receiving end of the fallout.
‘You will absolutely get yelled at in this line of work. It can be pretty nasty depending on what is going on,’ says FIDI 39 Club President Jackie Stouffer, who is VP International for global move management at JK Moving Services in the US. ‘If you are an emotional person, you will take that (bad experience) home with you, and it will stay with you for a while.’
Talent Management Professional and Mental Wellness Coach Christina Kasiraja-Lebrun, who has worked with the moving industry, says: ‘Exposure to traumatic events or distressing circumstances in certain professions – such as healthcare, emergency services, or humanitarian aid work – can take a significant toll on mental health. I personally think the global mobility industry should be included in this list, but because the general population tends not to know about the existence of this industry, its importance is overlooked.’
In any industry where employees often work long hours around various time zones, meeting the needs of demanding clients, burnout is a real possibility.
‘A huge toll’
While there are no figures specific to the moving and relocation industries, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recently acknowledged the seriousness of mental health as an issue. In the World Mental Health Report 2022, WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus singles out COVID-19 for ‘the huge toll it has taken on people’s mental health’.
According to the WHO, rates of common conditions, such as depression and anxiety, increased by more than 25 per cent in the first year of the pandemic, adding to the nearly one billion people who were already living with a mental disorder.
Moving company employees – and the transferees they serve – have also faced stress from recent upheaval in the global supply chain, with delays from shipping lines, at customs and in ports, and a global shortage of shipping containers. Not to mention the everyday pressures of this business.
Stouffer – who, along with FIDI 39 Club colleagues, is pleased that mental health now has a higher profile – identifies another issue: ‘Today, people have technology at their fingertips, so they think: “I need an update right away”. That is not something we had to this degree five or 10 years ago. That shift has definitely played a part in increasing the pressure on employees.’
Likewise, the influence of online retailers, such as Amazon – which promise fast delivery and updates in real time – has raised clients’ expectations, says Sonja Tuomela, a FIDI 39 Club Board member and Sales and Operations Manager at Travelcargo in Finland.
‘On a regular basis, I get clients who are quite surprised how long the transit times are,’ she says. ‘I’m sure (online retail) has had quite a big effect when you can order something and it arrives in a couple of days… and customers are told (the transit) can take perhaps two and a half months.’
Kasiraja-Lebrun advises employees to become resilient to deal with modern demands. ‘Heightened expectations can put added pressure on employees to deliver exceptional service consistently,’ she says. ‘Employees may face challenges in meeting these expectations, particularly in situations involving complex issues or emotional interactions. Moreover, the impact of social media amplifies both positive and negative experiences, increasing the scrutiny on employee performance.’
Managing expectations
What should help reduce stress and, therefore, improve mental wellbeing for moving company employees – and the assignees they are helping – is setting clear expectations. Kay Kutt, CEO of relocation company Silk Relo, says: ‘It is so important to manage expectations and clearly communicate what to expect for the transferee and their family before they relocate. ‘Ideally, keep that education and communication open while they relocate, after they arrive and, for those that receive ongoing support, while they are on assignment.’
With less stigma attached to mental health now than there once was, employees who find themselves stressed should be able to access a variety of global resources to support their mental health, wellbeing, and work-life balance.
‘Online platforms such as mental health apps, virtual support groups, and educational websites offer resources and tools for managing stress, anxiety, and other mental health concerns,’ says Kasiraja-Lebrun. Non-profit organisations and advocacy groups also provide information, helplines and referrals to mental health services and support networks.
Kasiraja-Lebrun says: ‘Additionally, individuals can seek out community resources such as counselling centres, community mental health clinics, and support groups offered by local organisations.
‘Some employers offer Employee Assistance Programmes that provide confidential counselling, referrals and resources for employees and their families.
‘To maintain a good work-life balance, you may prioritise self-care practices such as exercise, mindfulness, and hobbies outside of work. Setting boundaries, both physical and digital, can help prevent burnout and create space for relaxation and personal fulfilment. Effective time-management strategies, such as prioritising tasks and delegating, when possible, will help achieve a healthy balance between work and personal life.
‘Regular communication with supervisors about workload and expectations can ensure realistic work arrangements that support wellbeing.’ Ultimately, it’s important to seek support when needed and ‘prioritising self-care is essential for maintaining mental health and work-life balance’, she adds.
Generational mindsets
FIDI 39 Club’s Tuomela says maintaining wellbeing and mental health for employees is important for retaining talent in moving companies – and the issue is becoming increasingly important for the younger generation of movers.
‘There is a gaping difference between mindsets generationally – Generation Z really want a work/life balance and will not sacrifice their mental health, which may be hard for managers to understand,’ adds Stouffer.
The FIDI 39 Club has been focusing on this topic at online events for its members and its overall aim is to make people in industry comfortable talking about mental health.
‘The more people that share their experiences… the more acceptable it is to do this,’ says Stouffer.
