- Companies benefit from sending employees abroad; employers should cover all trip-related expenses to ensure job satisfaction.
- Providing allowance for leisure helps maintain work-life balance, improving productivity and fostering cross-cultural understanding.
- Secure traveler’s insurance covers unexpected incidents, providing a financial safety net and logistical support during emergencies.
- Employers’ commitment to employee welfare creates a more engaged, productive global workforce.
Companies often send employees abroad to tap into new markets, develop leadership skills, and foster cross-cultural understanding. This overseas experience benefits not only the employees who gain global exposure but also the company as it helps expand its international business footprint. According to a Brookfield Global Relocation Services survey, 40% of companies expect to increase short-term assignments in the coming year. Additionally, around 70% of companies use international projects to provide career development opportunities and to ensure the right skills are in place overseas, as per a report by Cartus Corporation.
However, employers are responsible for ensuring the employees they send feel comfortable and secure when deployed. Here are some tips for employers planning global assignments:
Table of Contents
Handle All Trip-Related Expenses
Financial stability and security are paramount for an employee, especially on a global assignment. Having the employer handle all trip-related expenses alleviates the financial burden and leads to increased focus on the job at hand. It promotes job satisfaction, enhances morale, and can significantly contribute to successful foreign assignments.
Transportation
Covering transportation costs is critical. It includes the initial flight to the destination, local commuting, and any necessary trips back home. Local commuting might depend on the duration of the assignment; for long-term projects, employers might cover the cost of public transportation passes or provide vehicle allowances.
Accommodation
Securing a comfortable and safe place to stay is another vital component. Employers should cover the cost of suitable accommodation that aligns with the living standards the employee is accustomed to.
Daily Expenses
Day-to-day expenses such as meals, utilities, and recreational activities are ongoing costs employers should cover. This provision ensures the employee is not stressed over managing these expenses while focusing on their assignment.
Emergency Funds
Unanticipated situations may arise where the employee requires immediate financial resources. Employers should have a system for access to emergency funds, ensuring the employee feels supported and secure at all times.
Provide Allowance for Leisure
Recognizing the importance of work-life balance, even in international assignments, is crucial for the overall well-being and productivity of the employee. Allowing leisure activities allows employees to explore the foreign location’s culture, traditions, and lifestyle, enriching their global experience and enhancing their cross-cultural understanding, and that’s on top of the work-related benefits. This can lead to better communication, stronger relationships, and improved business transactions with international partners.
Employers could adopt various ways to provide this leisure allowance:
Recreation Allowance
This could be a fixed monthly or quarterly sum for recreational activities such as sightseeing, attending local events, or engaging in local sports or hobbies. This allowance encourages employees to take breaks and unwind, contributing to their mental health and happiness.
Vacation Allowance
For long-term assignments, employers could provide an allowance for short vacations within the host country or neighboring countries. It offers employees a chance to broaden their horizons and experience different cultures, which can be an enriching personal and professional experience.
Wellness Allowance
This could cover activities like gym memberships, yoga classes, or spa and wellness retreats. These activities help employees maintain physical health and improve mental well-being, enhancing productivity.
Incorporating leisure allowances in the compensation package demonstrates a company’s commitment to the holistic well-being of its employees, ultimately leading to a more satisfied, engaged, and productive workforce.
Secure Traveler’s Insurance
Securing traveler’s insurance is crucial in preparing employees for international assignments. Despite meticulous planning, unexpected events such as medical emergencies, trip cancellations, or lost baggage can occur. Traveler’s insurance provides a safety net for these unforeseen events and minimizes financial impact and stress.
A comprehensive traveler’s insurance policy can cover medical expenses, emergency evacuations, and trip cancellations or interruptions. It offers peace of mind for the employer and the employee, ensuring that employees get the care they need without worrying about the financial burden. Moreover, it indicates the employer’s commitment to employee welfare, which can significantly contribute to the employee’s job satisfaction and morale.
In the event of an incident, the insurance company can also assist with logistics, navigating foreign healthcare systems, and coordinating necessary services, which would be challenging and time-consuming for the employee to manage alone. Hence, employers must partner with a reputable traveler’s insurance company to provide comprehensive coverage and support, ensuring their employees’ security and well-being on foreign assignments.
Final Thoughts
Sending employees abroad is an invaluable opportunity for businesses to tap into new markets, develop leadership skills, and foster understanding. However, employers must ensure the safety and security of their overseas staff by covering trip-related expenses, providing leisure allowances, and securing traveler’s insurance. Doing so demonstrates a commitment to employee welfare that can lead to a more engaged and productive workforce worldwide.
