Expats

Returning home

When going on an international assignment, culture-shock in a new country is a very common, even expected, part of the process. Many employers are aware of this and make provisions for their employees, such as ‘look-see’ trips prior to assignments, and cultural training to help combat feeling out of place in their new home. But what about when the assignment is over? Coming home may be thought of as an easy process, however in reality this is often not the case.

This phenomenon, known as reverse culture shock, is experienced by many assignees who find returning home just as difficult, if not more so, than leaving in the first place. After the initial high of returning to your family, friends and ‘old’ life, various negative emotions can rise to the surface.

With laws and legislations forever changing across the globe, I wanted to take a look at how Global Mobility and HR professionals can boost their own personal Global Mobility knowledge and experience whilst also keeping their global mobility program competitive and relevant (whilst ensuring compliance and retaining talent). To find out how read on...

Core-flex policies

Recently, there has been a lot of discussion and interest around 'core-flex' policies as a popular choice amongst global mobility professionals. Recent statistics from Graebel Companies Inc.’s insideMOBILITY Global Mobility Summit survey, indicated that of the participants that did not already have core-flex policies in place, 27% were planning to implement them soon.

Top Trends

Global Mobility has become an essential factor in a company’s development and can prove invaluable for both the individual on assignment and the company itself. However, in such a fast-paced industry it is important for a company to adapt to the latest global mobility trends if they wish to thrive. Here are some of the top trend’s companies should be anticipating for 2019...

Here in the UK, Christmas means putting up the tree, hanging up your stockings, and tucking into turkey on Christmas Day. However, this is not the case elsewhere in the world. If you are thinking of relocating to a new country, and spending the festive period overseas, why not take the time to learn some local Christmas traditions? From Goats, to Witches to Fried Chicken, here are some of the more unusual Christmas time traditions from around the globe!

Gender Divide

Over the past few years “gender divide” has become a common phrase. With initiatives to promote female seniors and business leaders highly publicised in the press, has the world of Global Mobility followed suit? The short answer is no. 

Ahead of The Global Mobility Executive Roundtable…

Global Mobility Pressures

Global Mobility is subject to rapid and frequent change. International HR and Global Mobility teams are consistently being asked to reduce costs; as international business presents an increased need for a mobile and diverse workforce, mobility policies become progressively complex. A good way of addressing this is the open sharing of information between individuals and organisations within the sector. Information sharing encourages connection and collaboration between professionals, which can result in important new findings regarding issues and solutions within the field.

I recently had the opportunity to attend the 2018 Worldwide ERC Global Workforce Symposium, held in Seattle, WA. Many attendees (including myself), were extremely surprised how lucky we were with the lack of rain! The location was excellent and the company even better!