Can a job require you to relocate?

Question

Zippia Team · Accepted Answer

A job can require you to relocate to keep your job, but you, obviously, don't have to move. This is a tricky situation, and it can often be uncomfortable for everyone involved. There are times when jobs have no choice but to require someone to move. If the individual does not want to move, then they will lose their job.

Situations where this happens regularly include a company moving their headquarters or shutting down a particular location. In these instances, it's clear that you can't stay at the job if the location will no longer exist. Likewise, if you're in a higher position within a company and your job will no longer be performed at that location, you'll have to move to keep the job.

There are other situations that cause jobs to request relocation, they could want more staff in one region for a short time, they could be setting up a new location and need experienced hands to get it rolling, there could be opportunities overseas, etc. While a job can require a position be relocated, they can't force you to move, but refusal to do so can make you lose your job.