Employee relocation in the public sector: perspectives from forestry

摘要

Employee mobility can be viewed as beneficial for both staff and organisations in terms of ensuring a good mix of skilled people in the right locations as well as providing for individual career development. The compulsory movement of employees in theGB public forest sector has declined in recent years as the objectives of forestry have changed and there is a perception that staff willingness to relocate has also diminished.This article examines perceptions and attitudes towards relocation to understand what factors influence employee decision-making in the forestry sector and the implications for management. Six focus groups were held in England, Scotland and Wales. Findings suggest that the historical use of relocation has led to negative associations, particularly where there is a perceived lack of control over the process. Relocation can be positive where there is a strong interplay between the need of the organisationand employee motivations and values.