How are you supporting the partner?
Partner support has come a long way over the last 10 years. Not only are more dual-career couples relocating, but it’s also more common that both partners want or need to work. With COVID-19, work permit complexities have increased based on location/country. Tax issues need to be addressed from the beginning.
The pandemic brought the family unit into sharper focus, making sure everyone is safe and healthy, which drives home the importance of partner support. Companies that continue to offer resources that support partners will have a better chance for happy, successful relocations. Perhaps in this ongoing struggle for talent, employees and family members who are treated holistically will stay for the long haul.
Companies are focusing on the employee experience and understand that supporting a partner is very important to the assignee and the success of the assignment. Most global companies have policies that cover different types of partnerships. While this is a step in the right direction, employees and their partners may encounter challenges at assignment locations.
Immigration regulations are constantly changing, and both the company and employee need to stay on top of them. It’s imperative that the assignee understand the legal, cultural, and social challenges of their host location. For example, some counties do not recognize unmarried partners at all.
The good news is that Living Abroad provides detailed information to support all partners. How do we help?
- Thorough information on moving with spouses and partners includes assessing needs, corporate assistance, employment, work permits and visas, financial issues for dual-career families, alternatives to paid employment, international labor issues, and other issues that non-married partners might face.
- Country specific LGBTQ+ support covering legal, socio-cultural and workplace situations for LGBT people on top destinations along with many global resources.
- Comprehensive support on social environment and social customs, including how to cope with culture shock.
- Resources for partner employment abroad.
- Current visas, permits, and entry requirements by destination.
- A directory of podcasts, which share practical solutions to help assignees and partners adapt and succeed, stay connected to those who matter, improve emotional well-being and resilience, and appreciate diversity of all kinds.
If you are a global mobility professional, chances are you are juggling many pieces of the relocation puzzle, making sure employees and partners are compliant with country rules before moving. It’s hard to provide everything partners may need, and employees that have access to the International Relocation Center (IRC) will have a wealth of information available and so will their partners.
