Globalism leads to employers sending staff further afield

UK employers are looking further afield to exploit new business opportunities in the globalised marketplace, according to latest research from Aviva. The survey finds that 58% of employers sending staff overseas are posting employees to new locations, with the emerging economies such as China (41%), India (41%) and Russia (25%) featuring prominently on the list of destinations.

One in five employers (21%) report having increased the number of employees that they sent abroad over the past few years and a further 13% are looking to increase the number of staff they send on overseas assignments. Over half (55%) of companies are targeting new markets to expand their business. Meanwhile 29% believe they can make more money in overseas markets.

However, an overwhelming 68% of employers describe the relocation process as challenging, with 60% saying that different rules and regulations in relation to issues such as health provision cause them the biggest headache.

Over half (57%) say that they want to know that their staff can access medical support when they need it – and that treatment is paid for (43%).

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Three-quarters (75%) of employers include international health insurance as part of their relocation package, placing it the second most offered benefit behind housing (78%). Other widely offered benefits include paying expenses (72%), arranging schooling (52%) and life insurance (40%).

Teresa Rogers, Business Lead, International, Aviva, UK Health, said:

“Relocation is not an easy task and staff rely on their employers to give them the appropriate support to make their relocation a success.”