Conference 7.286::digital

Re .0:

	I don't know about the time limits, but I do have some advice -

	DON'T PUT ANYTHING IN STORAGE DURING A MOVE IF YOU CAN POSSIBLY HELP IT!

	The few times I have moved, I have managed to avoid storing anything,
	but the last time my parents moved, they had to have most of their stuff
	stored overnight.  I did not loose anything in my moves, but my parents
	found a number of small, valuable items missing when they finally got
	everything sorted out.

    You might want to check in the orange book regarding specific policies;
    it should be available via VTX ORANGEBOOK.
    
    In the various times I've moved with Digital, the "length of time
    the benefits last" is, more or less, "however long it takes", assuming
    of course, that you're working on issues, not sandbagging at Digital's
    expense.
    
    I agree, 30 days usually isn't long enough, depending on your specific
    needs, wants, finances, and a plethora of other things, although
    I've done it a couple of times within the 30 day "guideline".  It's
    up to the cost center manager more times than not (in my experience).
    If, for example, you'll need to have the moving company store your
    household items longer than the usual time limit, talk it over with
    your cost center manager.  Most of them are quite reasonable, and
    will OK it.
    
    Bottom line: keep the channel of communication open between you
    and your manager.  Personnel/Relocation should also be able to help.
    
    Good luck
    Jon

    
    
    Being near the end of my 30 days right now and still waiting on
    the finance company, I told my manager the situation and she was
    acceptable to extending the time if I need to.
    
    There is a form (of course) Application for Relocation Exception
    you need to fill out.  There is room on the form for multiple
    extensions.
    
    We are still hoping to get in on time, mostly because when ever
    we want something it is in storage.
    
    We have moved before and have had no problem with storage, nothing
    broken nothing lost, but there is a first time.
    
    

    As was said in previous replies, it is up to the cost center manager
    to approve extension of relocation benefits.  I had my things in
    storage for six months, paid for by Digital.  Of course, considering
    the amount of furniture and such, it didn't amount to much.  Luckily,
    I was able to stay at the family homestead for that period so the
    big buck issue, housing expense, didn't come up.
    

	Thanks to you ALL ...  I will keep it all in mind when/if I need
	to.  Hearing from experience is nice to rely upon sometimes.

    As Jon said earlier, common sense and open communication are a key
    when relocating. In addition, as a person who has relocated twice
    for DEC I would like to offwer the following observations:
    
     o The Personnel person at the RECEIVING site should be an expert.
       If they are new or inexperienced, they can make the experience
       difficult.
    
     o Read Section 5.05 of the Orangebook COMPLETELY!! There are a
       number of benefits there that are re-imbursable that many 
       employees are unaware of.
    
     o Take a hard line with whoever you choose as a mover. DEC's contract
       stipulates that they HAVE to unpack most of your things. Moving
       company employees seem to be ignorant of this and will give you
       a song and dance.
    
    Enjoy, enjoy - in any event, DEC has taken much of the stress off
    of a tough situation and I can't imagine undertaking a move of such
    magnitude without their assistance.
    
    Rich
    

    If you have to put things into storage I would recommend going to
    the warehouse and actually oversee them boxing everything up. Our
    belongings were in storage for 6 months. There was minimal damage
    and only one item missing.. 

I agree completely with .6. I've moved 3 times with DEC and I think I
know more than the personnel types who were supposed to be in charge.
Read the policy! I kept stuff in storage only one time. There was no
problem getting an extension and I didn't lose aything. The only thing
I didn't like was the bit about electronic equipment. The insurance only
covers external damage, so if your stereo or something doesn't work when
you get there you're out of luck if it doesn't have dents and stuff on
the outside. My tape deck did some weird stuff the first time I moved it.
The next 2 times I moved it myself.

Jenna

    re .8
    
    I'll definetly second your dislike of the insurance on electronic
    equipement. The movers totalled my TV set (but the cabinet looked
    fine.) NO cash from the insurance company...
    
    When the same movers moved my cost center, I asked what would happen
    should my 340 fail to work at the new location... you BET that was
    covered... DEC carries different insurance on itself than it does
    for relocating employees.
    
    Nobody's gonna touch my new tv.

    I can't echo loudly enough about the coverage to electronic equipment.
    (See the note I started in here awhile back, titled something about
    "Relocation Blues").  My stereo receiver was bonkers, and the disk
    drive from my Apple computer was out.  But since there was no evident
    physical damage, as the Outburst game instructions say: "Dem's da
    berries".
    
    If I ever relocate with Digital again, that's one part of the relo
    policy that I'm going to get an insurance rider on.  Even if Digital
    doesn't pick up the extra (which like almost anything else within
    Digital, might be negotiable with the cc manager), it shouldn't
    be that expensive for the additional peace of mind.
    
    Good luck
    Jon

    Some managers are better at being realistic about time limits than
    others.  In some parts of the country, it is unreasonable to expect
    someone to find suitable housing during the househunting trip, in order
    to move in by the end of the temporary living stage.  If you feel this
    description fits you (because of price/culture shock/whatever) try to
    get the incoming manager to agree in writing to extend the relocation
    timeframe.  Lots of managers use 30-90days as the time frame during
    which relocation is good.  I have NEVER seen this in writing where
    it limits the benefits to a particle time period, but I may have missed
    something.  
    
    Ed
    

    
    
    Quick comments:
    
    Length of relocation is the same as IRS guidelines.  Incoming manager
    can excede - etc. etc.  This will result in more taxable income,
    but don't forget the new benifit for increased taxes. Forms are
    provided from Digital at tax time.
    
    Electronic equipment coverage - when the movers rep shows up to
    estimate resources, demonstrate the operability of ALL equipment.
    Then get a written statement to that effect from the rep. This
    satisfies UNIRISC insurance and mover policies for coverage of
    operability with no external damage.
    
    Losses & theft - Now I know to video tape the packing of every carton
    and identifing each with MY OWN system. Movers numbers get lost,
    boxes torn, you don't remember what was in that box. It's months
    before you know it's missing. uggggh!
    
    If you do have problems, work with household relocation. They were
    great in my move (last year).  

    re .12 & electronic equipment.
    
    When I was duking it out with UNIRISC about my stuff (see "Relation
    Blues" somewhere in this notesfile), I specifically asked the UNIRISC
    agent about this; ie, what if I had actually demonstrated the
    operability of the electronic equipment, and even gotten a written
    statement about it.  I distinctly remember him telling me that it
    would have made NO difference, electronic equipment is a "special
    case" and the movers cannot be held liable for anything that doesn't
    work after the move, regardless of whether operability was proven
    prior to the move.
    
    Maybe things have changed in the meantime, but this was only about
    2 years ago.
    
    Jon

    REP -1
    According to the ORANGE BOOK, the equiptment would have to have
    visible damage, ie. dings, dents, scratches.

    This file is interesting to read, as I may be moving within the
    next two years, being eigible for relocation as LM02 moves to Franklin.
    However, I have to agree with 600.12, as I called corporate in regards
    to coverage on electronic equipment, specifically I talked with
    Joan Labelle.  She explained that there is a new book coming out
    which clarifies what is necessary to properly insure valuable
    electronic equipment.  First, you should demonstrate to the movers
    that it does in fact work.  If upon unpacking you find that it does
    not work, then call relocation, and they will send a technician
    to fix any internally damaged equipment.  I would imagine it would
    be a good idea to get a written statement from the moving company
    as to the operational condition of all electronic equipment.  This
    whole approach seems more reasonable, but I would read the new book
    thoroughly, then check with corporate relocation on any questions.