March 27, 2009 by MSI
In a recent post we introduced the topic of ensuring a return on investment from global assignments and how we can influence that return during pre-assessment and assignment preparation phase of the relocation. That is one-half of the equation. Repatriation is the second-half. A staggering 48% of all returning expatriates leave their company within 2 years of repatriation. And, the majority of those individuals are leaving to work for the competition. Companies are making an investment of over $1.25M in an assignees two- to three-year global assignment, but what are they doing to ensure that they remain with the company? Honestly, some are not doing anything at all.
Most companies focus the majority of their investment pre-assignment and on-assignment through housing allowances, education stipends, cost of living adjustments etc. Few organizations focus on repatriation and the ongoing work with the assignee that needs to occur around career path and their eventual return to the home country. Repatriation brings significant emotional concerns for the assignee and his/her family including adjusting to an ‘old’ workplace, the change in culture, the lack of ability to practice their learned global skills, and a return to normalcy. Global assignees have been treated to something special, and now it’s gone and often they do not or cannot reclaim that energy or feeling within their existing company.
What can we do to keep these people at our organizations and productive and happy? Ensure that the assignee has a plan from the pre-assignment through repatriation and include a decisive career path, which is committed too by both parties prior to initial assignment acceptance. And, offer professional repatriation services. Amazingly, with repatriation services, the 48% attrition rate noted above, drops to under 20%.
Global assignments aren’t just about the COLA and the housing allowance. With an investment this large, it’s critical to look at the emotional elements and ensure that your global assignees are set up for success. It’s the one way to ensure that you and your company will get a return on the investment.
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