New research conducted by Aires, a relocation services provider based out of Pennsylvania, says the practice of offering relocating employees a core set of benefits in addition to optional, flexible add-ons is becoming more of the norm. 

According to the data, about 25% of Aires’ clients use this kind of flexible approach in order to create personalized packages for talent.  This practice has been increasing in popularity pretty steadily over the course of the last few years.

Core benefits include reimbursement for things like travel, household goods, automobile and storage options and different kinds of cash allowances.  Flex benefits, on the other hand, include things like reimbursement for home-seeking expenses, temporary housing, home sale and purchase assistance and spousal assistance.

Companies that utilize this kind of core-flex procedures typically set model parameters around the flex benefits, often times allowing the employee to dictate different pieces that will be included in their model.

One human resource expert suggests these packages are increasing in popularity because they become customizable to each situation. Giving employees the ability to dictate what goes into their package based on what is most important to them, according to HR experts, increases engagement and satisfaction.