Case Study | Overcoming mobility indecision and avoiding relocation failure

This global multi-national automotive organization was struggling to encourage talent to move both permanently and on long term assignments from the US to Mexico.

Challenge

The organization had recently completed the acquisition of a manufacturing plant and

required specialist HQ skills to be present on site to ensure that the integration of the two

organizations was successful.

Talent was reluctant to relocate, especially those with spouses given the often complex rules and regulations related to their partner being granted the ability to work in Mexico. Many of the talent

who had been requested to relocate simply stated that there were too many challenges for the family to navigate and maintaining two family incomes for a significant number of the employees was

critical. A number who had relocated with families were now returning early and, in some instances, had simply decided to leave the organization due to the fractured experience.

Solution

NetExpat was engaged by the organisations talent mobility team to help employees and their partners to make a strong and informed decision about the prospect of relocating.

Pre-decision coaching was delivered to each employee and partner to help them truly understand the local legislation landscape and the options for the spouse/partner to secure a work permit and a future job or self-employment status.

Each employee and partner received confidential coaching that included in person support with a senior NetExpat coach, access to supporting tools and

technology, as well as membership to the on-line NetExpat Community for partners/spouses and Buddy Program, allowing space and time for questions to be addressed and expectations to be managed in relation to the availability of jobs in the new location.

Outcome

The outcome of delivering pre-decision coaching was a healthy uptake of relocation from key employees and their families and crucially, significantly reduced the number of failed relocations given that the families were fully aware of the spouse/partner work permit opportunities and challenges before making their decision to relocate.

Investment

It is accepted that a failed relocation within the first 12 months can cost between $250-400K including repatriation, loss of productivity, re-hiring, etc. The modest investment in Pre-Decision Support helped to maximize talent's decision to relocate, and mitigate costly failed moves.