Why Family support is key to an Expat’s success

[ASEAN NOW News]

 

Climate change, political challenges, poverty, and inequality are usually at the top of a Global Mobility Manager’s priority list when it comes to ensuring an assignee’s wellbeing, according to nesfircroft.com.

 

But whilst they are all undeniably pressing issues on a global scale – when looking at the success of an Expatriate’s assignment, you cannot deny the impact that family support can have.

 

Research over the last few years has shown a clear correlation between the level of family support offered and the success of the assignment, but many local organisations don’t currently extend their duty of care past the assignee themselves.

 

Incorporating family support into your company’s mobility programme can be a challenge, and very few companies formally acknowledge the role of the partner in their international workforce.

 

If you are struggling to get the business on-board with your family support plans, here are top reasons why including it into your policies is key to the success of the assignment. 

 

A ‘good start’ in a new country ensures longevity 

 

When you select an employee for expatriation, it does not just impact their life – it impacts the lives of their entire family, and many issues must be dealt with before they even leave their home country.

 

Therefore, it is vital to understand that even though you may not have direct contact with the family, they’re real people and are rarely ‘experts’ at moving around the world.

 

Without adequate support upfront their capacity to adapt to their host country will be hindered.

 

This is even more evident during festive periods, when the host country may not celebrate like the family is used to or in some cases, they may not celebrate at all – this can lead to severe homesickness.

 

Also, poorly managed expatriation can lead to more than just a failed assignment.

 

 

In some cases, expats and their families can experience profound consequences such as low self-esteem, anxiety and depression, alcohol/substance dependency, extra-marital affairs, separation/divorce, family dysfunction and children failing in school. 

 

What does it take to prepare for a ‘good start’ in a new country?

 

This step is difficult to approach, even more so if you as the employer, you yourself have not experienced this process yourself.

 

Each family member will have unique needs and you will need to have a good understanding of what these are.

For example, some family members may find it easy to adapt – especially if they have a role or place at a school lined up. For these family members, consider basic cultural training to help them succeed.

 

On the other hand, family members without a job or school to go to may struggle to find a meaningful place in the new country.

 

If this is the case, you could consider putting them in contact with other assignees and families in the host country or suggesting volunteering opportunities they can be involved in.

 

But do not stop at basic cultural training or arranging support networks – you need to prepare the family for day-to-day life as this is where the decision to stay or leave is made.

 

For example, it is one thing knowing what ‘milk’ is called in the local language, but the family will need to know which milk to choose when they are standing in the supermarket looking at 10 different, unfamiliar, brands. 

 

You can prepare a person before they arrive, but the support should not stop there.

 

The family identity will change during expatriation, and they may struggle to recreate a ‘home’ dynamic.

Family members are likely to miss many aspects of their home country such as their routine or their friends, and this can cause fractures in the family’s relationships.

 

This could occur straight away or months down the line. Keeping in regular contact will give you the visibility you need to ensure the family is coping well.

 

If you see tell-tale signs of unhappiness, you could encourage the family to spend quality time together - particularly if work commitments are overlapping into family time.

 

Suggest day trips within the region, popular restaurants in the area or even a new hobby they can share like hiking. 

 

Ensure you are offering assistance when it is needed, even if it is just a friendly voice on the phone to let the family know they are not alone, this can be invaluable– you may not be able to fix something, but just being available is hugely appreciated.

 

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