Emigrating not all it seems for multinational company employees

Expat employees working overseas for multinational companies are finding the promised good life is a myth, with employers not caring about their wellbeing.

Recently published research indicated that, whilst the overseas arms of multinational companies invest heavily in their workplace environment, personal issues and the complications of living are largely ignored. Expats are suffering cultural difficulties, family-related stresses and increased workloads over and above what was agreed.

Over the past decade, the global expat community has expanded enormously, and many studies have taken place as regards changes put in place by employers. However, very little research into how expats feel about their new lives has been undertaken.

According to the majority of expats surveyed, employers in general are providing adequate relocation services, medical coverage and settling in allowances, but many expats feel that other causes for concern are being ignored. A lack of information about repatriation assistance was mentioned frequently, as was a lack of assistance in finding good heathcare and sorting claims procedures.

Satisfaction with employer provisions varied according to location, with Australia and Europe scoring well, and expat employees in the Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa and the USA the most unhappy. Human Resources personnel within individual companies were slated for a lack of understanding as regards relocation issues including the cost of travel, finding accommodation and getting work permits.

Oddly, given that it’s an English-speaking country, settling in was a more stressful time in the USA than anywhere else, according to the survey. Problems were experienced with finding a doctor, understanding the healthcare system and tax and financial issues, making going it alone, even in America, more difficult than most would–be migrants realise.