KPMG has released findings from its latest Global Assignment Policies and Practices Survey, which offers insights into how global organisations administer their HR programmes.
Allows for comparison
The KPMG 2017 survey allows organisations to compare themselves to other participants on numerous aspects of an international assignment programme, including: assignee selection and assessment, assignment preparation and planning, talent and performance management, assignment compensation and allowances, administration and outsourcing, and tax reimbursement policies. Globally, more than 150 cross-industry organisations took part in this year’s survey.
What’s of note?
Regarding spousal/partner assistance, 48% of respondents see spousal support as a core benefit. However, assistance varies: 46% reimburse certain expenses (e.g. career or education related); 43% see work visa assistance as spousal support; 33% only support job search assistance; 25% are still in favour of ‘cash out’; 14% reimburse education expenses; 5% partially finance lost salary. None of the respondents offered full financial compensation of lost salary.
Family affairs and pre-assignment visits
Also of note, 14% of respondents take into account any dependent parents of the assignee/spouse. This highlights how these companies are open to what family entails to certain cultures. Regarding formal pre-assignment visits, 59% allow the partner to join the assignee, 20% also let kids of any age join, and only 20% allowed school-going kids join when testing is required for school admission. Only 1% limited the pre-assignment visit to the assignee.
Training and transport
The majority of organisations include some form of language and cross-cultural training in standard policies: 44% offered language training to assignees, spouses and kids; 54% offered cross-cultural training to assignees, spouses and kids. Of organisations that provided host country transportation benefits, 52% provided a car and a driver (in certain locations); and 4% provided assistance to spouse/partner to secure a car.
