why are international assignments often so difficult for dual-career families? course hero

by Chaz Sporer 10 min read

Does an international assignment impact an assignee’s career?

By Samantha B. Polovina. The biggest obstacle to employee mobility is dual-career and family issues, according to participants in Mercer’s 2012 Worldwide Survey of International Assignment Policies and Practices. Although the barriers to international mobility faced by dual-career couples are not new, the issue retains its relevance.

Which employees are most interested in taking international relocation assignments?

Feb 13, 2014 · Of the 82 leaders we surveyed, 32% said they had turned down an international assignment because they didn’t want to move their families, and 28% said they had done so to protect their marriages ...

Is it time to accept an international assignment?

Submit. Ours is a dual-career family. We value family and are devoted to our children, their well-being, and development. We are also devoted to the well-being and continued development of each other as the adult members of this family. While commitment to family values can be effectively lived out in a variety of ways, for us it involves both ...

What motivates employees to accept international assignment?

Oct 01, 1997 · The issue of international relocation is critical, as is any relocation, for the dual-career couple because couples can’t sustain multiple relocations for one person’s career without the sacrifice of the other’s career. So before couples accept an assignment, they need to engage in extensive negotiation about the relative significance of ...

Why are international assignments so popular?

In short, executives aren’t jumping at every opportunity to relocate, even though international assignments are popular because of growing world trade, saturated domestic markets, and increased competition.

What happens if a spouse relocates?

A partner or spouse who relocates has a lot to lose in continuity. Typically, there’s no local corollary for his or her own job, networks, and relationships back home. Don’t rely on your organization to preempt or solve that problem.

What is human capital?

Your Human Capital. Your human capital amounts to all the resources you bring to the table — your skills, experiences, and networks. It’s your capacity to get things done, to be an effective agent on the job and in your life. It’s your engine, your juice.

Benefits

We have benefited in numerous ways from the balance between work and home that our lifestyle provides. We each enjoy the creative outlet and fulfillment that comes with jobs to which we feel called. We have each felt God’s leadership in our education and career planning and believe God has led us to the jobs we now hold.

Challenges

Even though, for us, the benefits outweigh the challenges, the challenges exist nonetheless. When both spouses are committed to their careers, finding a place to live where each can work within his or her chosen field can be a challenge. Relocation would be easier if there was only one job to be considered.

What Is Dual Career Assistance?

The Importance of Dual Career Assistance to Employees

The Most Common Types of Support

Benefits to The Employee and Employer

Roi and Spousal Support

Challenges in Providing Dual Career Support

  • While an easy idea to grasp, dual career support can be more difficult to implement successfully. There may be issues with increased taxation, valuing benefits in kind and assessing the correct time frame for support. Key issues include: 1. Is the support geared toward securing employment in the new location for the ‘trailing partner’? 1. What is t...
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