Issues Coupled With International Assignments

Last month we presented key findings relating to trends in the usage of new forms of international working and highlighted some of the managerial control issues facing international HR managers. This month, Jelena Petrovic from CReME, looks in more detail at the people and management issues associated with each type of international assignment. These new types of international assignments include short-term, international commuter and frequent flyer assignments. Short-term assignments are defined as an assignment with a specified duration, usually less than one year, where the family may accompany the employee. An international commuter is an employee who commutes from the home country to a place of work in another country, usually on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, while the family remains at home. A frequent flyer is an employee who undertakes frequent international business trips but does not relocate.