What is a global mobility strategy?

A global mobility strategy is a business plan designed to support the movement of an organization’s employees to different locations, both domestically and internationally. The strategy includes global mobility policies, procedures, and guidelines for relocating employees.  

A global mobility plan focuses on the relocation process and aligns a global workforce with meeting business needs. Used in conjunction with a global mobility program that focuses on talent management, a strategy provides a structured guide for assignees leaving their home country to become mobile employees.

The main goal of a global mobility plan is to make the most of employee expertise to help achieve business objectives in different regions. Employees are sometimes described as “expat employees” as they move to different locations. 

A global mobility strategy is important for multinational corporations and decentralized companies, as well as local companies that have embraced remote work since the pandemic. 

Why is a global mobility strategy important?

A company will assign a global mobility team to orchestrate the movement of a mobile workforce. For example, the HR team may work alongside stakeholders and a mobility consultant to draft policies for international assignments, business travel, and short-term, long-term, and permanent establishments. 

From a growth perspective, a global mobility strategy helps organizations expand into new markets and discover a global talent pool. The policies help develop team talent, retain top talent, and gain a competitive advantage. 

The policies included in the strategy ensure tax compliance and seamless employee relocation. It also covers all immigration requirements for a new location and offers global mobility solutions for typical mobility challenges.   

Essentially, a global mobility strategy ensures that mobile team members settle into their new location efficiently, that each employee follows a similar process, and that compliance is maintained with each of the initiatives. 

Key details to include in a global mobility strategy

A global mobility strategy should include a few key details to iron out before deploying team members to different countries. Consider the following for your global mobility strategy:

• Legal structure and implications for the business when an employee spends an extended period of time cross-borders

• Immigration legislation which includes work and residence permits

• Employment law and tax requirements, which includes income tax, global payroll, and double-tax treaties

• A revised compensation structure that considers the cost of living in the host location

• Employee acclimation and talent retention, which considers the employee experience and possible repatriation arrangements

• Assignment policies to be carried out in the host country

Top tips for an efficient global mobility strategy

The future of work is forcing human resources to consider what is global mobility and how global mobility services help the process.

As a starting point, consider the following tips for an efficient global mobility strategy. 

• Establish global mobility programs to boost the employee experience for international employees
• Implement the right technology and tools to ensure consistent communication and support
• Create flexible global mobility processes and policies to improve talent mobility
• Take time to conduct vendor consolidation and save costs while improving management
• Plan flexible yet structured schedules for employees in a new country to remain connected