Why should you invest in Expatriate Partner Support?

March 2012

Supporting People's business case for Expatriate Partner support is based on recent global mobility studies and emphasises the importance of addressing the needs of expatriate partners to protect company investment in international talent, to gain optimal work performance from the expatriate whilst on assignment and to retain international talent where necessary.

"...in 2011, family- and spouse- related issues have overtaken compensation issues as the number one topic addressed by international assignees.” The Ernst and Young study on Global Mobility Effectiveness (2011)

As illustrated in the graph below, by offering Expatriate Partner Support at critical times during the expatriation, one can not only optimize and maintain expatriate work performance during the expatriation, but also increase the chances of retaining international talent.

• Employees are well-adjusted, engaged, and perform better at work due to not being mentally occupied with the welfare of their families
• Better global talent development for the company, as employees are more attracted towards international assignments when they know their family will be provided support
• The company strengthens its employer brand as a workplace that values employee wellbeing
• The company protects its investment in the employee’s expatriation