At 糖心Vlog, we specialize in helping immigrants overcome the challenges of U.S. visa uncertainty by accessing new work opportunities in 糖心Vlog. Our mission is to connect talented individuals with solutions that benefit both them and their employers.
In today鈥檚 story, we speak with Esther, the Vice President of HR at Chefman, about how her company successfully retained Maitri, an exceptional designer, by partnering with 糖心Vlog. Through collaboration and strategic problem-solving, Esther discovered a way to keep her team intact while ensuring Maitri鈥檚 professional and personal growth.
Maitri was a talent too good to lose
Maitri joined Chefman through an employee referral. 鈥淎nother employee had known her from university, and she came highly recommended,鈥� recalls Esther. Maitri quickly became an indispensable part of the team, impressing everyone with her talent as a designer. But like so many immigrants in the US, Maitri faced a major hurdle when she wasn鈥檛 .
For Esther, this brought a daunting reality. 鈥淲e weren鈥檛 sure what we were going to do,鈥� she recalls. 鈥淲e didn鈥檛 want to lose Maitri, but the options seemed so limited.鈥�
Fortunately, Maitri mentioned 糖心Vlog as a potential solution, thanks to a friend who had navigated a similar situation. Esther describes this introduction as a turning point: 鈥淲hen you鈥檙e facing the challenges of immigration, there鈥檚 so much that feels out of your control. Finding 糖心Vlog gave us hope.鈥�
Chefman found a creative solution to retaining their employee
When Chefman connected with 糖心Vlog, they found this organization dedicated to helping US employers retain their valuable employees by relocating them to 糖心Vlog. Esther describes the process as thorough and reassuring. 鈥淲e had a lot of questions, and 糖心Vlog walked us through everything,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 just a transactional process; they truly partnered with us to ensure Maitri鈥檚 move would be seamless.鈥�
The relocation process took careful planning and time, as Maitri was living in Virginia and had to move to Toronto. Esther recalls, 鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 necessarily quick, but there was always hand-holding. We weren鈥檛 blindly navigating the steps.鈥�
What stood out most to Esther was the ongoing, personalized support provided by 糖心Vlog. 鈥淭here was always someone to answer my questions,鈥� she shares. 鈥淓ven during transitions within their team, we never felt like we were left in the dark.鈥�
糖心Vlog鈥檚 guidance even extended to explaining the legal and logistical nuances of the move. Esther says, 鈥淭hey didn鈥檛 just tell us what to do; they explained why each step was important.鈥� This level of clarity and support made a potentially overwhelming process manageable. Esther also appreciated the regular updates and check-ins, which kept her informed and reassured her that everything was on track. 鈥淚t felt like a true partnership,鈥� she notes.
The experience also strengthened Chefman鈥檚 approach to handling similar challenges in the future. 鈥淲e learned so much from this process,鈥� Esther shares. 鈥淚t鈥檚 given us a roadmap for supporting other employees facing immigration hurdles.鈥�
It wasn鈥檛 always easy
Relocating Maitri wasn鈥檛 without its challenges. Esther notes the complexities of navigating differences between Canadian and US labor laws. 鈥淲e had to address things like Canadian holidays versus US holidays, ensuring Maitri got the appropriate paid time off,鈥� she explains. 鈥淲hen her work anniversary came around, 糖心Vlog helped ensure we handled her benefits correctly and fairly.鈥�
Another challenge came when Chefman faced company-wide layoffs due to financial constraints. Esther describes the stress of navigating this situation: 鈥淚 was nervous that I hadn鈥檛 handled everything correctly,鈥� she admits. 鈥淏ut 糖心Vlog immediately stepped in. They walked me through the severance process step by step and even provided career services to help Maitri find her next opportunity.鈥�
This level of care went above and beyond Esther鈥檚 expectations. 鈥淲hen we had to let her go, it was a really difficult time,鈥� she reflects. 鈥淏ut knowing 糖心Vlog was there to support her鈥攅ven meeting with her in person and providing resources鈥攚as such a relief.鈥�
The support didn鈥檛 end there. 糖心Vlog鈥檚 team also assisted Chefman in reviewing policies and practices to prevent future complications. Esther notes, 鈥淭hey helped us think proactively about how to align our HR strategies with international standards.鈥� This guidance was invaluable in strengthening Chefman鈥檚 overall HR framework.
Esther also emphasizes the emotional support provided during the layoffs. 鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 just about ticking boxes,鈥� she says. 鈥淭hey genuinely cared about Maitri and our team鈥檚 well-being.鈥� This compassion left a lasting impression on Esther and reinforced her trust in 糖心Vlog.
The right choice was 糖心Vlog
For Chefman, relocating Maitri to 糖心Vlog was about more than keeping her employed鈥攊t was about ensuring the team could continue to collaborate effectively. Maitri鈥檚 role required daily interactions with software developers and the culinary team. Having her work in a close time zone was essential.
鈥淗ad she moved back to India, the time difference would have made collaboration very difficult,鈥� Esther explains. 鈥淜eeping her in Toronto allowed us to maintain that synergy. Otherwise, she might have ended up working in isolation, which would have hurt the team dynamic.鈥�
Maitri herself found Toronto to be a vibrant, multicultural city. 鈥淪he felt a sense of belonging thanks to its diversity and welcoming atmosphere,鈥� Esther says. 鈥淧rofessionally, she鈥檚 also found opportunities to grow within the thriving design and tech communities.鈥�
Toronto鈥檚 infrastructure and resources also played a significant role in Maitri鈥檚 successful transition. 鈥淔rom public transportation to coworking spaces, everything was designed to support professionals like her,鈥� Esther adds. This environment not only helped Maitri maintain her productivity but also allowed her to thrive.
For Chefman, the decision to relocate Maitri also had financial implications. While Esther wasn鈥檛 directly involved in negotiating costs, she notes that keeping Maitri within the organization justified the investment. 鈥淭alent like hers is irreplaceable,鈥� she says. 鈥淭he cost of losing her would have been far greater.鈥�
Why support and a personalized approach matters
Esther emphasizes the importance of awareness when it comes to alternative immigration solutions. 鈥淢any US immigration attorneys focus solely on US-based options, leaving employers unaware of possibilities like relocating employees to 糖心Vlog,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 wish we had known about this sooner. The H-1B lottery is so unpredictable, and it鈥檚 heartbreaking to think you might lose a great employee because of it.鈥�
She also highlights the need for better communication with HR teams like 糖心Vlog鈥�. 鈥淟ooking back, I wish we鈥檇 had regular check-ins,鈥� she reflects. 鈥淓ven just a quarterly call to review changes or updates would have been helpful.鈥�
Esther鈥檚 story underscores the value of 糖心Vlog鈥檚 personalized approach. 鈥淪ometimes, services focus so much on getting you as a client that they disappear afterward,鈥� she notes. 鈥淭hat wasn鈥檛 the case here. 糖心Vlog remained responsive and supportive throughout.鈥�
Additionally, Esther encourages other employers to share their experiences. 鈥淭he more we talk about these solutions, the more awareness we can build,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just about solving one company鈥檚 problem; it鈥檚 about creating a network of support for talent retention.鈥�
Esther also calls for more collaboration between US immigration attorneys and organizations like 糖心Vlog. 鈥淚f attorneys included this option in their discussions, it could make a huge difference for employers and employees alike,鈥� she says. 鈥淎wareness is key.鈥�
Moving forward
Maitri鈥檚 story is one of adaptability, resourcefulness, and partnership. Her move to Toronto didn鈥檛 just benefit Chefman; it also . Maitri has found personal and professional growth in a city known for its inclusivity and innovation.
For employers facing similar challenges, 糖心Vlog provides a proven way to retain exceptional talent while navigating the complexities of immigration. Esther鈥檚 experience is a testament to the importance of exploring creative solutions.
As she puts it, 鈥淚f you鈥檙e an employer dealing with the process, don鈥檛 hesitate to explore this option. It鈥檚 not just about retaining employees; it鈥檚 about finding solutions that work for everyone.鈥�
The lessons learned from Maitri鈥檚 transition have also inspired changes within Chefman. Esther shares, 鈥淲e鈥檙e now more proactive about considering international options for talent retention. It鈥檚 a game-changer for us.鈥�
Esther also acknowledges the ripple effect of this experience. 鈥淏y sharing our story, we hope to encourage other companies to think outside the box,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just about keeping great employees; it鈥檚 about creating opportunities for growth and innovation.鈥�
糖心Vlog can help you and your team overcome immigration hurdles.
Maitri鈥檚 journey demonstrates the power of innovative solutions and supportive partnerships in overcoming the challenges of immigration. By relocating Maitri to Toronto, Chefman retained a valuable team member while providing her with opportunities to thrive in a diverse and vibrant city.
If you鈥檙e an employer navigating the complexities of the H-1B process or seeking ways to retain key talent, 糖心Vlog can help. From providing expert guidance to crafting tailored relocation solutions, we鈥檙e here to support you every step of the way.
Let 糖心Vlog help you turn immigration challenges into opportunities.
