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Expat Partner Support HR Newsletter | December 2014
YEARS
expat partner support
Welcome to the December edition of Global Connection’s quarterly HR Newsletter. We inform you about research conducted by Mercer, HSBC, World Bank Group, achievements from the Permits Foundation, and expat partners from DSM, Henkel, Philips and Unilever discuss their experiences.
CULTURAL MISCONCEPTIONS In my experience, cultural issues have to be taken into consideration almost everywhere you go. Consequently, one has to be careful with onesize-fits-all approaches in cultural training. Awareness is crucial. More than distance I remember discussing a spousal support programme with a British Global Mobility Director who had recently joined a Belgian multinational. To his surprise, the company only offered cultural training to the ‘crosscontinental’ transfers. He told me how he felt about the cultural differences between Brussels and London, a mere two-hour train ride apart. This transfer has been a bigger cultural shock to him and his family than their previous posting in Hong Kong. Some soul searching In order to create awareness during our Cycles of Change workshop, we first encourage participants to ‘map’ their own culture. Then we start exploring their new host culture, as you can only prepare for culture shock when you understand your own cultural norms and values. Know thy neighbour An expat partner who moved from Vienna in Austria to Bratislava in Slovakia, less than one hour away by car, shared with us that of all the support she obtained, she regarded cultural training as by far the most valuable. Without crossing the border But even within one country, cultural differences can be a major issue. Moving from Geneva to Zurich in Switzerland might be enough to experience culture shock. Jacqueline van Haaften
30 COUNTRIES ALLOW PARTNERS TO WORK Thirty countries now allow spouses or partners of expats to be (self) employed during an assignment, according to a report from the Permits Foundation. New online report The most recent version of the ‘Global Summary of Work Authorisation for Family Members’ can be found on the website of the Permits Foundation, an independent organisation campaigning globally to make it easier for expat partners to work during an international assignment. Growing number of countries The number of countries allowing partners of expats to work has been growing steadily since the Permits Foundation started its work in 2001. Most of those countries allow recognised family members to work freely during the time of an assignment. Job offer sometimes required Some countries, such as Malaysia, Mexico and Singapore, require the partner to already have a job offer. They consequently issue a work permit or other letter of consent, linked to the employer, through a fast-track process. This procedure usually takes place without further conditions. Global Connection is a sponsor of the Permits Foundation.
BOARDING SCHOOLS: OFTEN NO REIMBURSEMENT While boarding school can sometimes be the best option for expat children, only a small minority of international companies and institutions is willing to reimburse the costs of this type of education. Only 12.2% pay costs In Mercer’s most recent Worldwide Survey of International Assignment Policies and Practices, only 12.2% of companies indicated that they pay the cost of boarding school in the home country of their international assignees. For European companies, the percentage is 16.7, for North American companies 8.5. Additional home trips When children of expats stay in their home country to study, 29.8% of companies handle matters case-by-case, 27.9% provide additional home trips, and 34% don’t provide any education assistance. Good reasons Nevertheless, sometimes there are good reasons for expat families to choose a boarding school. Local education may be precluded by language barriers or religious objections, for instance, or the child might be preparing for critical exams in the home country. Global Connection’s December 2014 Magazine contains more information on this subject. Global Connection | December 2014
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