Millions of employees across the world are now working remotely. As the pandemic evolves, how are companies considering the issues around the different ways of working.

At the recent Expat Academy APAC Huddle event, a participant raised an interesting question on the use of lump sums and whether they are a popular way to facilitate permanent one-way moves.

Secondment allowance is a type of allowance that companies use to cover on-assignment expenses in host countries.

AIRINC continues to invest in our domestic solutions in order to improve your experience!

China announced that it will be requiring negative COVID-19 tests within 48 hours of departure from all inbound travelers from their last departure airport. Anyone that is flying into China on a non-direct flight will be required to get a rapid test in the city they depart the final flight into China or extend their layover to get a COVID test.

In general, getting an employee to accept a domestic relocation can be difficult. It is not easy to uproot a family, logistically manage a move, and establish oneself in a new city. However, it can be even more challenging when the new location is considerably more expensive.

We often get asked what qualities a good global mobility professional should have. Efficiency, knowledge of compliance regulations, and numeracy are three that immediately spring to mind. But perhaps more important are empathy, intercultural awareness, and exceptional communication skills. Now, more than ever, these traditionally “softer” skills are what will get your assignees through this pandemic while also feeling well-supported by your global mobility programme.

Diana Caicedo leads Clorox’s Global Mobility program (among her many other roles). Clorox recently transformed their US domestic mobility program by expanding their Lump Sum program and introducing a Lump Sum calculator configured to their program specifics. We sat down with Diana to hear how Clorox uses Lump Sums and what advice they would offer others that are interested in Lump Sums.

Improving the assignee experience is a key focus for Global Mobility teams. Assignee experience comes in many guises, from better support to more choice, from clearly enhanced career prospects to seamless communications. When AIRINC’s Advisory Services team is working with clients to develop an improved assignee experience, we have to take into account that every assignee is different. As a result, we all view the assignee experience in a different way. Programmes that want to genuinely improve the assignee experience need to use a broad range of tools to deliver the enhancements their assignees are looking for.

COVID-19 is impacting everyone, everywhere, and its sphere of influence changes almost daily. Of all the places facing change and uncertainty, the airline industry is at the forefront. News of airlines facing bankruptcy and impending doom cloud the headlines globally. As Global Mobility specialists, we examine 110,000 fares on a quarterly basis so that we can deliver our clients the most up-to-date information to support their assignees. Now, more than ever, we know that you need quick answers and accurate estimates to support your international and domestic assignees that need to return home during this sweeping pandemic.