With experience of setting up international offices, employing local nationals and assigning employees, often accompanied by their families, to work in cities throughout Europe, Asia/Pacific & N. America, HR Management Support can provide advice and guidance when you are considering relocating members of staff abroad for short or long term assignments.

Research has shown that a high percentage of expatriates return home early before completing their assignments due to poorly prepared assignment packages, lack of or poor communication and family related reasons. There is also a much greater staff turnover associated with returned expatriates due to poorly managed repatriation.

The costs associated with employees working abroad are enormous so it is essential to ensure that each employee move is a smooth, organised and successful process.

Professional management of the process is therefore essential with the following issues being addressed:

• Full package of terms, conditions, benefits and timings must be prepared and agreed in advance
• Employees selected for assignment need to be interviewed, information obtained and their families counselled
• Visas and work permits must be applied for
• Consideration needs to be given to the timing and length of assignment in order to minimise tax liability
• Tax and National Insurance (Social Security) in home and host countries needs to be addressed
• Accommodation, Health care, Transportation, schooling in host country needs to be organised
• An Emergency plan for political, medical or disaster needs to be prepared
• A comprehensive package needs to be provided to help returning employees and their families settle and re-integrate in their home country/site