9 Valid Reasons To Ask For A Transfer At Work

Asking for a transfer at work can be awkward, it does not matter whether you’re interested in a lateral move, jumping into a new role, or want to advance your position in terms of seniority or salary.

To be successful in your transfer request, you need to have a valid and responsible reason and be able to present your case with substantial evidence. This will show how an internal transfer will not only benefit you and your well-being but the success and productivity of the company.

If you’re feeling stuck in your current position, it’s always worth considering requesting a transfer.

Good Reasons to Ask for a Transfer At Work

When we ask for a transfer at work, we are not asking for something that is simply given to us. We are asking for something that is earned.

There are many reasons why you might want to request a transfer at work, including gaining the opportunity to learn new skills, preparing for future leadership roles, resolving workplace conflict, aiming for better work-life balance, and improving your job security.

This article provides all the information you need to ask for a transfer at work and provides some tips on how to get a successful outcome.

1. Changes in your personal life

Life can be unpredictable and there are many reasons why you might experience a significant life change including:

Moving to another city, moving interstate, or even transferring to another country
Starting a family
Experiencing a significant health condition

Taking on care duties for a family member
Undertaking further education to be qualified for a higher position in the company

It doesn’t matter who you are, your personal circumstances, or where you are in your career progression, a life change can happen at any time.

Whatever life change you might be experiencing (or anticipating in the future), it is one of the most common and justifiable reasons for requesting a transfer at work because it most often concerns an unavoidable and understandable personal matter.

It might also lead to actions that will improve the employee’s progression and value to the company.

2. Looking for a secure career

Depending on the circumstances, making a lateral move through a job transfer can help you secure your career prospects.

You are most likely to need to use this reason if you are a mid-level or senior employee and you would rather move to a new role than try to find another job. Your department may also be undergoing a change in management structure or downsizing.

If there are internal positions open elsewhere, requesting a transfer will help you retain your job at the company.

3. To resolve workplace conflict

According to the CPP Global Human Capital Report, 85% of employees experience workplace conflict to some degree, with almost 30% having to deal with conflict for much of the time.

For the average employee, this means that each week they will spend 2.1 hours dealing with conflict. In the United States, this amounts to a whopping 385 million working days spent dealing with conflict.

Workplace conflict can be caused by many things, including:

Personality clashes
Competing ego-driven people

Stress
A heavy workloads
Poor workplace cultures such as a lack of transparency or poor management

If your workplace conflict has escalated to such a degree that you are requesting a transfer, it’s likely that your colleagues, supervisors, and managers are very aware of the situation and would welcome a positive change.

It might even be the human resources manager or employee relations specialist who suggests the internal transfer as a viable resolution to workplace conflict.

4. Learning new skills

If you find that you have little opportunity for intellectual growth in your current position, or don’t have the time or opportunity to learn new skills to perform your role, an internal transfer may provide more opportunities for training and development.

It does not matter whether the transfer is a lateral move or a promotion, the chance to acquire a new skill or be exposed to new opportunities and colleague interactions is a positive reason to request a transfer that benefits both the employee and employer.

5. Preparation for a leadership position

If you’re interested in gaining a managerial or executive-level position, requesting an internal transfer is a great way to signal to the company

Internal transfer helps you to be prepared to put in the hard yards to gain the skills and knowledge.

For example, managers usually have to be familiar with all business and departmental operations. If you move around the company and gain experience in different roles and positions, you can invaluable knowledge in every area of the business.

Not only will this put you at an advantage over external applicants when a new managerial opportunity becomes available, but an internal transfer allows you to understand key interdepartmental relationships.

6. Looking for new challenges

There’s no such thing as the average worker, and different people can have vastly different motivations for the way they work.

According to research conducted by motivational expert James Sale, there are several employee motivator types. The ‘creator’ type thrives in environments of innovation, creativity, and change.

Moreover, they like opportunities where they can solve problems and insert creative ideas and solutions. The downside is that ‘creator’ types are easily bored and they can lose motivation if they are not stimulated.

If you’re a ‘creator’ type who thrives when you are presented with challenging and engaging work, requesting an internal transfer might be the best way to ensure that you are stimulated by the work that you are doing. You will also be provided with new challenges that are more likely to push you harder to excel.

7. A better personality fit

Sometimes, we can be affected by a general feeling of unease, discomfort, or unhappiness at work. This could be caused by any number of reasons, including poor management, lack of workplace feedback, poor relationships with colleagues, and personality clashes.

This poor feeling generally takes time to fester and may develop even when you are enjoying your workplace duties.

Requesting a transfer will not only provide a viable solution to your unhappiness but will most likely have a positive effect on your department as well.

8. A better work-life balance

Research conducted at Southeast University has shown that work-life balance is essential for employer wellbeing, motivation, job satisfaction, and high performance.

You might find yourself in a situation where you need to change your job to improve your own well-being. This could include:

Needing a role where you are not sitting down for eight hours a day
Desiring a role that allows for flexibility so that you can leave early to pick your children up from school
Working in a role that allows you to work from home for several days each week so that you can care for your aging in-laws

You might also want a role that improves your mental health through fewer workplace hours or less stressful workplace responsibilities.

If an internal transfer improves your work-life balance, it can also be a boon for your employer who will reap the benefits of a more motivated and productive employer.

9. To avoid favoritism and nepotism

Nepotism in the workplace is a detrimental form of unethical behavior where senior employees hire and promote unqualified or underqualified family members and friends above more competent people.

According to workplace expert Lynn Taylor, nepotism is commonplace in workplaces around the world and has the potential to be toxic.

Nepotism and favoritism have a number of detrimental effects, including:

Creating an unhealthy workplace environment

Reducing employee morale
Promoting feelings of resentment
Contributing to decreased productivity

Increasing employee turnover rates

Favoritism, like nepotism, is detrimental in the workplace and has profound negative effects on employees.

If this type of unprofessional behavior is affecting your workplace wellness, requesting a workplace transfer is probably the best solution.

How to Increase Your Chances of a Successful Workplace Transfer

When you want to ask for a transfer at work, there are a few things to keep in mind. Make sure your request is specific and concise, and avoid sounding entitled or asking for too much. Here are some tips on how to ask for a transfer without blowing your cover.

You must make sure that you clearly state your reasons for the request and provide an evidence-based and realistic timeframe.

If you want to ensure a successful workplace transfer and improve the probability of success, having this information at hand is just as important.

Create an outline of your time with the company

Get prepared and provide an outline of your time and contribution to the company.

Not only will this remind them of your value, but it will also show them how the transfer will benefit them with future workplace successes.

Include any achievements, KPIs that you consistently achieve, and quantifiable data that highlight how you are an asset to the company.

Make sure that you present your case in a professional manner, and be prepared for the possible rejection.

Make a case for why you are requesting the transfer

Support your decision with objective evidence that helps to convince your employer that the reasons for your request to transfer are valid and beneficial to the company.

Make a case and show how the transfer will provide a boost to the company’s overall operational needs, and benefit you in your personal development.

Reasons such as personal wellness, skill transference, promotional opportunities, or increased productivity are some of the valid reasons for you to make your case.

Update your resume

An updated resume is the best way to show your employer a snapshot of your employment history and achievements outside the company as a way of demonstrating your skillset and value.

Keep your resume short and sweet, and put in all your achievements and skill set that your company value, with a well-crafted resume, you’ll have a higher chance of success when requesting a transfer at work.

Overall, you want to show your company that an internal transfer will not only benefit you but will also be a positive and productive move for the business as well.

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9 Valid Reasons to Ask For a Transfer At Work