AIRINC (Associates for International Research, Inc.)

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a historic drop in demand for petroleum products. In addition to reduction of fuel use for air and sea transport, on-road passenger travel has been impacted as consumers are driving significantly shorter distances and less often.

This catchy term seems to be popping up with increasing frequency in articles and blogs regarding global mobility trends. Although AIRINC’s most recent Mobility Outlook Survey indicates only 14% of companies currently employ a core/flex approach to promote flexibility for the business, many companies are expressing a keen interest in learning more about how core/flex works, and whether it is an effective way to help businesses manage assignment costs.

Last week AIRINC held several virtual roundtables regarding COVID-19. These sessions gave our clients a forum to discuss the issues they are facing and how they are handling COVID-19 concerns. From these discussions we are in a bit of a wait and see period. The initial rush of company evacuations and self-initiated leaves has started to settle. With travel restrictions – both by governments and by corporate companies – relocation, repatriation, and new assignments are currently greatly hampered.

During these unprecedented times, Global Mobility is challenged with the difficult task of supporting an international workforce amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. This survey focuses on how companies are handling their international expatriate populations, and the steps Global Mobility is taking to address the unique circumstances due to COVID-19.

In this unprecedented time, AIRINC has created a landing page to serve as a hub to help you learn more about how your peers in global mobility are responding to the impact of COVID-19. In addition we will share advice from our team, exchange rate changes, upcoming events, blog posts related to the crisis, and relevant documents. We also plan to add information related to the COVID-19 recovery.

The COVID-19 pandemic is presenting us all with a period of great uncertainty. One thing we have learned from past crises is that we will likely experience economic volatility, including wide exchange rate swings and abnormal patterns of inflation. While these are early days, we have already measured higher rates of inflation in China, as well as significant fluctuations in major currencies. In addition, living conditions have worsened for many across the globe. It is likely economic volatility and restricted lifestyles will be with us for some time.

The demand for a wider array of mobility approaches at different price points requires the flexibility to access allowances and evaluate policy options in an efficient way. The International Assignment Calculator aggregates allowances such as Cost of living allowance (COLA), housing, tax, hardship, and more – in one place. Learn more by watching the video below:

Are you reactive or proactive? A couple of months ago, Jessica Caligan shared how companies are using proactive communication strategies to enhance employee experience on international assignments.

We are excited to announce the addition of this complimentary report, available exclusively on our International Assignment Calculator. You can proactively enhance the assignee experience through a more transparent and personalized communication.

When an expatriate’s home country currency weakens, what do you do? In my recent post, I talked about the importance of initiating an increase in their goods and services allowance because the employee’s salary portion, meant to be spent on their market basket, will no longer go as far once converted into their host currency.