Having international staff in your business is a challenge, which is why a global EAP is a must

Having international staff in your business is a challenge, which is why a global EAP is a must

Relocating overseas is certainly a challenge for both employee and employer.

While exciting to those who love to travel and explore new lands, there are also many logistical and cultural differences to be aware of, to make the experience as positive as it can be. Healthcare systems in other countries, for example, operate differently, and it’s essential to know what to expect should your health take a turn for the worse while abroad. Employers with staff who have relocated overseas for their job have a duty of care to ensure that they have everything they need to live and work safely.

A recent article in the HR Director has lots of useful information as to what to watch out for when transferring to foreign climes.

Of particular note is the mention of the importance of the EAP within the process of overseas transfers for work.

An international workforce has been touched on in our blog pages before as we have reported on various companies which have taken care to ensure their EAP services are effective in a global marketplace, by making them multi-lingual, for example.

Here, the importance of having staff who have been employed in foreign countries themselves is cited as being a key aspect of running a successful EAP when abroad. As is pointed out in the article, the EAP itself can be staffed by people who have themselves been through the process. Support doesn’t need to be health related, it can be practical or emotional too.

One thing of note is that the EAP provider will ask about the employees G.P. This is to enable the EAP service provider to manage the current or future risk. It is important that that assignees register with a G.P. before they need one. Of course an EAP will provide support without an EAP, but this may be limited until fully registered with a G.P.

UK EAPA chair Eugene Farrell says: “It’s important for companies to realise that their EAP can be of very valuable assistance when employees move overseas for work.

“Many people think the EAP is just there to offer help for health issues, but it can also help people with practical advice too – very important when you’re in a new country.

“I would advise all companies who are thinking of expanding overseas to give some consideration as to how their EAP will also expand too. The ROI from an EAP is likely to be even higher when a company expands abroad, as those involved may well require its services more when they are not in their own country.

“Companies which are going down this path should make sure that the EAP is at the top of the list of advertised benefits to any staff considering taking on the challenge of moving to a new country as part of their job. The EAP really can pay for itself in spades when international shores beckon, provided it is properly equipped to offer a global service.”