The world of Human Resources is experiencing deep changes due to factors such as globalization, technology, and the evolution of working conditions. The role of Human Resources is essential, as they are the ones who manage and facilitate the entire process of transferring to a new country and ensure a successful mobility policy, both for employees and for the organization.
What is the role of Human Resources in International Relocation?
The Human Resources department provides full support to its expatriate employees by trying to facilitate this entire process, in order to guarantee a less tedious integration in the host city.
The role of HR during this process includes:
Selection and recruitment: The Human Resources team is responsible for identifying and recruiting profiles suitable for a transfer. This involves assessing their skills and their ability to adapt in an unknown environment.
Logistics and coordination: They also have to plan and coordinate all the logistical aspects of the relocation, such as organizing visas and work permits, transportation, and accommodation. At Eres Relocation, we offer a preliminary visit before your arrival, to allow you to visualize your new life.
Emotional and cultural support: Adapting to a new place and a new culture is often difficult, which is why a key task of the HR team is to provide emotional support to employees who need it. This can be in the form of advice, orientation assistance, as well as intercultural training to help employees adjust to their new environment.
Talent management: It’s very important that transferred employees feel valued and engaged; the HR team needs to ensure they have clearly incorporated the opportunities for career development. This may require adapted and personalized management strategies.
Repatriation: The HR department must ultimately manage the repatriation process, helping employees return to their home country after completing their assignment abroad. This involves support and advice to help employees readjust to their original environment.
What are the characteristics of an International Mobility Manager?
An International Mobility Manager must have a certain profile that will ensure the success of relocations:
Knowledge and understanding of international labor laws and regulations: Being an International Mobility Manager requires a good understanding of labor laws and regulations in different countries, ensuring employee relocation in accordance with legal standards and avoiding potential legal issues.
Intercultural skills: This profile also requires a certain intercultural sensitivity, related to the countries where the employees will be relocated. The ability to understand the subtleties related to each culture will help avoid misunderstandings and conflicts when managing transfers.
Effective communication: The recruiter must be able to communicate clearly and effectively with the employees to be relocated, as well as with the company’s leaders and other internal teams. Good communication is essential for transmitting relevant information, managing expectations, and resolving potential issues.
Empathy and listening skills: Being able to empathize with the employees who will be relocated to understand their concerns and needs is an essential quality for this role. This involves the ability to actively listen and understand the experiences and emotions of employees, to provide them with the necessary support during the relocation process.
Organization and time management: International relocation involves managing multiple deadlines. A human resources manager must be organized and able to effectively manage the allocated time, while ensuring that all stages of the process are carried out in an orderly and efficient manner.
Flexibility and adaptability: International mobility can present unexpected challenges and changes in plans. Human Resources representatives must be flexible and able to quickly adapt to changes, find alternative solutions, and remain calm in unexpected situations.
As we can see, the role of Human Resources within the company is to maintain a global vision to understand the needs of employees and the different cultural contexts in which they will evolve. HR is a pivotal department that will ensure a positive mobility process.
This trend towards international relocation therefore implies unique challenges such as language barriers or cultural differences. Human Resources must have an in-depth knowledge of international labor laws and regulations in order to ensure that this relocation takes place in accordance with normal legislation and avoid such problems.
At Eres, we make things easier for you and make sure all steps are followed properly
Eres Relocation is committed to supporting you throughout these key steps, so that your company’s geographic mobility is a success. Our services range from relocation, to immigration document management, tax advice and language training. Are you ready for the next step? Contact us!
