Half (51 per cent) of knowledge workers who quit their job in the last two years believe a relocation opportunity is a must for new job offers, according to a survey by Wakefield Research for Graebel Companies Inc.

The survey, which polled 1,500 employees in 11 global markets, found 70 per cent may have stayed with their previous company if allowed to relocate within their home country and 67 per cent would’ve been more likely to stay if they were able to remain in their current role but relocate to a different country.

Read: Lyft allowing office workers to choose where to live and work

While 81 per cent of respondents would be willing to relocate for work in the next 12 months, only 18 per cent said they would be extremely comfortable asking their current employer for the opportunity to relocate.

The survey found women (83 per cent) are more open to relocation than men (79 per cent), however, it noted women are also less confident (59 per cent) they’ll get the personal support they need to be successful compared to men (71 per cent).

The top reasons cited for a relocation are gaining a new career skill (45 per cent), experiencing a different culture (44 per cent) and expanding their personal or professional network (40 per cent). However, workers also cited concerns about relocating, such as high costs of living (32 per cent), language or cultural barriers (30 per cent) and lack of accommodation to fit an individual or family’s specific needs or identity (21 per cent).

Read: 46% of employees would move for job with better pay, perks: survey

Employees also said their employer could make them feel valued and safe while relocating by paying for travel and moving costs (54 per cent), finding a place to live (47 per cent) and arranging language or cultural adaptation classes (45 per cent).

“As companies continue to navigate the talent management puzzle, they should take stock of the fact that employees see benefits in relocating — such as developing new career skills, expanding their personal and professional networks and experiencing a different culture or way of life — and must adapt to meet the needs of the changing workforce if they wish to attract and retain talent in this challenging labor market,” said Michelle Mara, vice-president of account services at Graebel, in a press release.

Read: Sabbaticals can help with talent attraction and retention, say experts