Global moves in all shapes and sizes People move to different destinations around the world for specific periods of time for specific purposes therefore they need different benefits to fit their needs. Most often these benefits would be determined by the duration of the time the employee would need to be in a specific international destination. Typically these move types are divided into 3 segments: Short Term Assignments, Long Term Assignments and Global Permanent moves. In this month’s Paragon Pulse the survey respondents have indicated the elements of their international program design for each of these 3 segments by responding on a survey for each segment. 1. Short Term Assignments When companies need to send an employee to another location for a short period of time that is longer than an extended business trip they send them on a Short Term Assignment. The Paragon Pulse survey results typically defined a short term assignment as a work related trip that would last 6-12 months. In addition, the survey results indicated that 86% of respondents said that partners and eligible dependents would accompany the employee on the assignment, but that 57% of assignees would receive neither Cultural nor Language training for the trip. Language and specifically cultural training can significantly help smooth the transition of someone moving into another culture which helps employees be more successful in their new working environment. In addition, all respondents indicated that every short term assignee would receive repatriation upon their return to their home location. A thorough Repatriation process is an important element to a successful Short Term Assignment program. It helps guarantee that an assignee can integrate back into work in their home country and adjusts to life back at home. 2. Long Term Assignments The Paragon Pulse survey indicated that 88% of those surveyed would define a Long Term Assignment as a trip lasting “12 months or more”. Additionally, the survey respondents said that 62% of assignees would receive both language training and cultural training for their assignment.  Finally, those surveyed indicated that 88% or more of Long Term Assignments include the following benefits: Goods and Services Differential, Host Country Housing Pay, Tax Equalization, Repatriation, Home Leave, and Emergency Leave. To manage a successful Long Term Assignment program there needs to be the flexibility to administer the benefits listed above for the individual circumstances of the assignee but yet the necessary program structures to insure that assignees are treated equitably. 3. Global Permanent Moves Global Permanent Moves and Long Term Assignments which turn into localizations are significantly different from other types of moves a company may initiate. They involve a number of benefits which are only relevant to international permanent moves. For example, an international move might include a different approach to moving the household goods than is seen in other move types. Paragon Pulse respondents indicated that 60% of employees taking a Global Permanent Move would use both a surface shipment and an air freight forwarder. In addition, homesale assistance is often provided for employees in the departure location who are moving permanently while this is often not the case for Short Term Assignments and Long Term Assignments, those surveyed said that 75% of those moving permanently would receive this benefit. In the same way that homesale makes sense in US Domestic permanent moves it also makes sense in global permanent moves. However, home purchase for international moves may not always make sense given some of the barriers to homeownership to non-residents and therefore may not be included in Global Permanent Move policies. In conclusion there are many diverse elements which make an international program function properly; including a international program design which adapts to a quickly changing workforce around the world to balance spend reduction and employee well being.
		December 2009 Survey Results  Short Term Assignment       What period of time would you consider a short term assignment? 1-3 months 0% 4-6 months 0% 6-12 months 71% Other 29%     Do partners and eligible dependents accompany the assignee for a short term assignment? Yes 86% No 14%         For a short term assignment, do you offer a Relocation/Miscellaneous Allowance?  Yes 71% No 29%     If yes to the previous question, how much do you currently offer? $1000 and below 60% $1000 - $3000 40% $3001 - $5000 0% $5001 and above 0%     For a short term assignment do you offer language training and or cross cultural training? Just language training 0% Just cross cultural training 0% Both language training and cross cultural training 43% Neither 57%     What benefits do you offer for the shipment of household goods for the short term assignment? Air Freight only 57% Surface Shipment only  0% Both 29% None 0% Other, please specify 14%     Which of the following benefits are typically offered to employees that are taking a short term assignment (check all that apply)? Homesale Assistance (if applicable) 14% Destination Services 71% Dependent Education 43% Spousal - Partner Assistance 29% Goods and Services Differential 86% Host Country Housing Payment 86% Tax Equalization 86% Rental Assistance 43% Repatriation 100% Home Leave 86% Emergency Leave 71% Long Term Storage of House Hold Goods 29% Property Management Services 71%         Long Term Assignment       What period of time would you consider a long term assignment? 6-12 months 11% 12-18 months 33% 18-36 months or more 44% 36 months or more 11%     Do partners and eligible dependents accompany the assignee abroad for a long term assignment? Yes 88% No 12%     For a long term assignment, do you offer a Relocation/Miscellaneous Allowance?  Yes 75% No 25%     If yes to the previous question, how much do you currently offer? $3000 and below 17% $3001 - $5000 17% $5001 - $7000 50% $7001 and above 17%     Do you base this amount of family size or it is a set amount by policy? Family Size 14% Policy 86%     For a long term assignment do you offer language training and or cross cultural training? Just language training 12% Just cross cultural training 0% Both language training and cross cultural training 62% Neither 25%     Of those assignees with family members, who is included in this benefit?  Assignee Only 14% Assignee and Spouse-Domestic Partner 29% Assignee, Spouse-Domestic Partner and Secondary School Age Children 43% Other, please specify 14%     What benefits do you offer for the shipment of household goods for the long term assignment? Air Freight only 0% Surface Shipment only  12% Both 75% None 0% Other, please specify 12% air freight, small surface shipment       Which of the following benefits are typically offered to employees that are taking a long term assignment (check all that apply)? Homesale Assistance (if applicable) 50% Destination Services 62% Dependent Education 75% Spousal - Partner Assistance 25% Goods and Services Differential 88% Host Country Housing Payment 88% Tax Equalization 88% Rental Assistance 62% Repatriation 88% Home Leave 88% Emergency Leave 100% Long Term Storage of House Hold Goods 75% Property Management Services 38%     Global Permanent Move           If an employee is assigned to a new international location for a period of more than 3 years, does your organization localize the assignee by moving them to host payroll and local country benefits? Yes   17% No   83%       Are spouses-domestic partners and eligible dependents included with the assignee for a global permanent move? Yes   100% No   0%       For a global permanent move, do you offer a Relocation/Miscellaneous Allowance?  Yes   100% No   0%       If yes to the previous question, how much do you currently offer? $3000 and below   0% $3001 - $5000   60% $5001 - $7000   0% $7001 and above   40%       Do you base this amount of family size or it is a set amount by policy? Family Size   0% Policy   100%       For a global permanent move do you offer language training and or cross cultural training? Just language training   20% Just cross cultural training   20% Both language training and cross cultural training   20% Neither   40%       Of those assignees with family members, who is included in this benefit?  Assignee Only   0% Assignee and Spouse-Domestic Partner   67% Assignee, Spouse-Domestic Partner and Secondary School Age Children   33% Other, please specify   0%       What benefits do you offer for the shipment of household goods for the global permanent move? Air Freight only   0% Surface Shipment only    40% Both   60% None   0% Other, please specify   0%       Which of the following benefits are typically offered to employees that are taking a global permanent move (check all that apply)? Homesale Assistance (if applicable)   75% Destination Services   50% Dependent Education   50% Spousal - Partner Assistance   25% Goods and Services Differential   25% Host Country Housing Payment   50% Tax Equalization   25% Rental Assistance   50% Repatriation   50% Home Leave   50% Emergency Leave   25% Long Term Storage of House Hold Goods   50% Property Management Services   25%
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