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Reasonable Accommodation
Relocating for business reasons can often feel like something of a hardship, especially if an entire family is involved. This is the reason to sit down with the employer and work out all of the terms of the relocation well in advance of any sort of moving activities.
For example, accommodation should be a primary concern before the first boxes are packed. This is because most relocations will not allow for an adequate amount of time in which to conduct a search for a new home, schools, doctors, etc., and having a reasonable accommodation is a minimum requirement.
Understanding a Reasonable Accommodation
What is a reasonable accommodation? The answer to that will depend upon the individual or family in question and will also need to take into consideration the employer as well. Many larger firms will frequently relocate managers and executives to locations around the country or the world, and will have long-standing arrangements with real estate agencies, and relocation companies that can help with everything from the search for a new home to temporary storage of household belongings.
Under the reasonable accomodation terms, the employee and their family may be able to claim the need for housing, transportation, reimbursement of certain expenses and more. For the most part, however, reasonable accommodation usually means that the employer is going to be able to provide a realistic living arrangement for the employee and their family until they can permanently settle in.
Forms of Reasonable Accomodation
Currently, there are many business hotels that serve as a home base for families and individuals transitioning from one location to another. Some are apartment-style dwellings with just enough room for one person, but others are larger accommodations that can even accept pets for the duration of the stay.
There may also be situations in which a family or individual is in need of temporary housing due to the destruction or damage of their home. Quite often this is a relocation done through an insurance provider, who usually follows the same standards of reasonable accommodation as many major or large corporations, and even uses many of the same facilities.
Accepting Accomodation
If you are required to accept accommodation due to the need for relocation or some other situation, be sure that all of the terms are set down in writing. This information must include the amount of time that the reasonable accommodation will be required and the subsequent arrangements for being established or re-established elsewhere.