The cost of an expatriate assignment is up to three times that of hiring a local employee, and for an employee and their family it demands a huge upheaval, so it is important to take all possible measures to increase the chances of a successful overseas posting.
Plan the Assignment
Ensure your employee’s skills match the job requirements and that they have demonstrated the adaptability to live and work in another environment; living abroad requires cultural awareness, open-mindedness and an ability to manage change.
Design an Expatriation Policy
The design of a company’s policy to relocate, compensate and support employees overseas is vital to ensure that not only the employee is satisfied with his move, but that the company meets its goals too.
Constructing Expatriate Compensation Packages
Whilst financial gain is not typically the primary reason for accepting an overseas assignment, employees will not relocate if they are financially disadvantaged, or cannot maintain the same lifestyle as in their home country.
- Salary (host v base country payments)
- Tax equalisation
- Housing and schooling allowances
- Relocation costs
- Cost of living allowance
- Regular salary review processes
Hand Over Decision Making
An employee will feel uncomfortable if they have no control over the expatriation process. Communication is of the utmost importance in all stages of the process, from preparation to repatriation. Ensure that you seek input, and consider your employee’s wishes in the expatriation process. Allow your employees and their families to make decisions wherever possible.
Relocation Services
Paying a relocation service company to assist your employee with an overseas move is a valuable investment. A relocation company will hold your employee’s hand from the planning stage through to the settling-in period and beyond. The quicker an employee feels settled, the faster they turn their focus to the workplace.
Provide Language & Cultural Training
Organise language lessons and culture training once an employee is on seat overseas; speaking and understanding a little of the local language, and learning about the local culture, helps expatriates integrate into the new community and builds their confidence and acceptance of their new home.
Repatriation as Important as Expatriation
Amanda van Mulligen
