Allied Van Lines' survey finds three in four wives would move, despite increased number of women in workforce
August 2004
During an interview with Abe Padilla, owner of AP Enterprises, an airline equipment and vehicle repair company in California, he stated he was planning on opening two new shops on the east coast in the near future and would have to relocate a few of his top GSE managers to get those shops up and running. I asked him if his managers had families and how they felt about making a move across the country. According to Abe, one manager was looking forward to the change and wanted to get back east because that's where he was originally from, however, the others said it would be an adjustment for their families, especially the children.
The following article, based on a recent survey conducted by Allied Van Lines,
gives interesting statistics and tips to employees facing this situation.
He works, she works. He just got transferred. Will she move too?
According to a recent national survey conducted by Allied Van Lines, 77 percent of women polled said they would relocate for their husbands' careers. Only 58 percent of men polled, however, said they would make the move.
"These findings are somewhat surprising considering the number of women in high-paying careers," says Wayne Sotile, Ph.D., who co-authored the book Marriage Skills for Busy Couples with his wife, Mary. "This study shows that despite the steady careers many women have, family still comes first."
Nearly 20 percent of women surveyed say their family's opinion of moving would play an important role in their decision to relocate. Only nine percent of men rate family opinion as important. Job advancement and higher salary rank among the most important factors for both genders when considering relocating for a job.
Recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows women now represent
50.6 percent of all employees in the higher-paying management, professional
and related occupations.
This is the first time since the Bureau began tracking the data 20 years ago
that women hold more than half of all white-collar positions.
More than 78 percent of today's employees are part of a dual-income couple, according to the Families and Work Institute. Getting employees to accept transfers and relocate can be a challenge not only to potential employers, but also to the emotional health of the couple, according to Sotile.
Among other recommendations (see sidebar), Sotile stresses that couples should make their relocation a topic of daily conversations. By doing so, he says couples can address emotional issues surrounding the move and discuss steps the trailing spouse can take to lessen the potential frustration of finding a new job.
"Voicing concerns and resolving issues before the move is critical," he says. "And, special consideration needs to be given to the trailing spouse who may be forced to rebuild a personal and professional network that took years to develop."
The nationwide survey, conducted by Synovate, was part of Allied's recognition of May being the start to a busy moving season.
"With more than 21 million Americans moving between May and September
each year, we understand that relocation can put a lot of pressure on a relationship,"
says Tim Schneeman, general manager of Allied Van Lines. "After all,
moving is one of the most stressful events in life. But preparing for the
move by getting a professional relocation company to help can make it a lot
easier on couples and families."
