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Since conducting its last Policy and Practices Survey three years ago, Cartus has identified several significant new trends. These, identified in its 2007 survey, include an increase in new and more challenging locations, an increase in the number of assignments, and the evolution of a more mobile global workforce.
In analysing survey data, three key areas come into focus:
1. Assignment length: Organisations are moving toward shorter-duration assignments that support business and employee goals at reduced cost.
2. Policy flexibility: Organisations are employing multiple policy approaches that are better suited to meeting variable business, budget, employee, and geographical needs.
3. Talent management: Recruiting, retaining, and growing global talent is a key challenge that has led global organisations to introduce specific "developmental" policies.
The following survey findings reflect these trends and give a comprehensive picture of current attitudes and practices in global mobility.
Assignment trend data
A continued increase in assignment volume: In 2007, 24% of companies had over 500 active assignees (compared to just 12% in 2004), while only 35% of companies had 50 assignees or fewer in 2007 (compared to 47% in 2004).
Consistent assignee profiles: The profile of the typical assignee has remained consistent over the past three years: most are male (79%), married (67%), and between ages 30 and 50 (68%). Because this profile drives policy, most policies don't fully address the needs of those who don't fit this profile.
Activity within all policy types is expected to grow: The survey noted a dramatic increase in the emerging developmental policy form, 64% see this type of assignment increasing in the next two years. Additionally, 70% of respondents said employees and businesses are demanding more flexibility in meeting non-standard needs (in terms of the employee profile or geographic location).
Policies don't reflect changing assignment forms: The gap between specific needs and the policies required to meet these needs remains wide. Thus, policy architecture is maturing-as developmental, international commuter, and other newer assignment types receive specific treatment in terms of policy components.
New locations pose new challenges: In 2007, respondents named 51 countries in their list of top three destination locations, a 76% increase over 2004. The United States remains the most common, but over the next three years, it...