Are your mobility policies hitting the mark?

A defined global mobility strategy should guide not only policy development but the application of policy to specific situations. Those policies in your program's mobility toolkit then become a reflection of the company's culture. For new hires, the policy document is likely the first introduction to the mobility program, so ensuring it is a well-crafted document is important. The variety of policies in your mobility toolkit has likely been growing over the last few years to address new needs within your company's overall talent strategy. With so many changes, specifically over the past two years, what are we seeing?

A few observations:

• There are an increasing number of global mobility programs supporting intern programs and developing policies for remote, hybrid and onsite internships.
• Many mobility programs are revisiting their overall strategy and approach and are willing to better leverage technologies that provide employees increased flexibility and customization while providing corporate cost management abilities.
• Mobility and talent teams are focusing more attention on attracting, supporting and retaining a "diverse" set of employees.
• Mobility and talent are increasingly collaborating to be more effective at winning top talent at all levels.
• Group moves are being planned as companies dive into big initiatives and M&A activities coming out of this pandemic.
• Lump sum based programs are re-evaluating the amounts being offered due to inflation and to help reconsider the overall experience of the lump sum offering.
• Some programs are getting more serious about the environment and are formulating a practice that supports improved sustainability.

The AIRINC 2022 Mobility Outlook Survey offers up some additional interesting findings to consider as it relates to where mobility programs are focusing. Their report has been designed to provide an informed, objective analysis of mobility around the world by using data to help readers better understand the market and identify opportunities for growth. Consider a few of their findings on where the mobility function is focusing:

1. Tapping technology: 70% of mobility professionals feel that new or enhanced technology would allow them to administer their mobility program more effectively.
2. Big increase in remote work: 90% of companies support some level of remote work today.
3. Flexibility reaches all-time high: 82% percent of companies think the business should have some flexibility.
4. More is being done to promote diversity, equity and inclusion: 69% of companies are modifying their mobility programs to promote DE&I.
5. Activity in mobility programs is picking up: 57% of companies expect global mobility activity to increase this year.

A quote in the report sums things up nicely: "We plan to spend 2022 focusing on talent strategy along with process and policy enhancements.”

Finally, the things mobility gets asked for most from the business are cost predictability (69%) and increased speed to initiate a relocation/assignment (57%). 

Looking for a few more thoughts on policy? Try these:

• What is the right approach to policy for your mobility program? 
• Pondering relocation policy? Think differently.