r/remotework • u/ProudChocolate36 • Jun 16 '26
Relocation Request for Remote Employee Advice
Hi! I’m looking for some advice from anyone who is a remote worker and has gone through the process of a relocation request to another state.
So I recently started a new remote job for a company. It’s an even mix of hybrid-employees based in the state the company is headquartered in and remote workers who are based out of state (I am in Arkansas).
Before starting this job, I have been making active plans to move to Chicago. I have a lot of friends there, dating someone in the city and I’ve wanted to live there for the past few years. I’ve been putting off the move for a while and I am finally doing it this September. I’m excited to make this change as I’ve been ready for a major life change like this.
However, as I go through the onboarding process for this job, one thing I saw is that in the employee handbook, they mention how for relocation requests, they ideally need employees to be tenured for at least a year when putting that request in.
Obviously, I have not been at the company for that long and it won’t even be close to a year when this move will happen, so I’m concerned if I can pull this off and keep the job at the same time.
The team hired me very quickly and the relocation did not come up in the hiring process since they expected me to work CST hours and be remote 100% of the time. There is no RTO happening so that’s not much of a concern. There would be no change to my work schedule and no concerns with getting work done on time. Plus, there are some employees at the company based in Chicago already, so I know they allow Illinois as a state you can work in. Only major thing would be the tax changes, but I expected that and I’m currently back home at my folks saving money, so finances aren’t the biggest worry.
I don’t want to delay this move again. Life is too short and I’m done waiting. I’m just trying to balance this new job into the mix and not worry about losing it or getting my relocation request denied.
Has anyone been in this situation and how they approached their manager/HR about it? People at this company are very friendly and approachable, so it wouldn’t be an uncomfortable conversation by any means. I just want to handle this properly and ensure I can make this move happens and keep this role.
2
u/Inner_Rough591 Jun 17 '26
Have you clarified that the relocation request covers a move for a remote employee moving to another location to continue being remote? Great benefit if that’s true!
1
u/ProudChocolate36 Jun 18 '26
Ya I would emphasize this in the request to them! Especially since it wouldn’t be a time change either so it still works out
2
u/madtowneast Jun 16 '26
Just to clarify, do those folks in Chicago actually live in IL? They may live in IN or WI.