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Sending first expat to UK
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Sending first expat to UK
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We are opening an office in London and will be sending our first expat over in January. What are the top 3-5 things we should do to prepare the expat for the transition, i.e. bank account, driver's ed
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Sending first expat to UK
posted at 12/9/2008 5:30 AM EST
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Posts: 13
First: 12/20/2007 Last: 3/9/2009 |
We are opening an office in London and will be sending our first expat over in January. What are the top 3-5 things we should do to prepare the expat for the transition, i.e. bank account, driver's education, appliance exchange, expat support groups, grocery store, utilities, etc. Besides general culture training, what have you learned from sending people overseas? |
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Sending first expat to UK
posted at 12/9/2008 7:02 AM EST
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Posts: 2146
First: 2/15/2006 Last: 9/14/2011 |
A discussion of compensation and tax consequences would be in order. Probably with an accountant familiar with such things.
Also a discussion of what the company is and is not going to pay for...even with the best employee this can be an issue if it is not documented. |
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Sending first expat to UK
posted at 12/9/2008 8:38 AM EST
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Posts: 1771
First: 10/24/2002 Last: 9/14/2011 |
Things are EXTREMELY UNBELIEVABLY EXPENSIVE in London. $13 for a pack of cigarettes, $9 for a loaf of bread, $26 for a fish and chips lunch (one person!), $5 for a litre of milk, $7 for public transportation across the city, $3 for a chocolate bar. Prices there are absolutely incredible! |
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Sending first expat to UK
posted at 1/20/2009 5:21 AM EST
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Posts: 1
First: 1/20/2009 Last: 1/20/2009 |
Probably the most important thing is to make certain you understand what your employee needs in order to legally work in the United Kingdom (UK). Requirements vary from country to country so consulting with an attorney who knows the rules for the UK is vital.
After that comes tax considerations and the cost of living as pointed out by earlier posters. Then questions of what the company will or will not pay for. Health insurance is also a decision point as is the length of the assignment. |
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Sending first expat to UK
posted at 1/20/2009 5:36 AM EST
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Posts: 11
First: 10/24/2006 Last: 11/16/2009 |
If I were the expat you're sending, I'd also want to have in writing what I could expect about air travel home (frequency, schedule, emergencies, who chooses the flight, who gets the frequent flyer miles). Perhaps you have a real estate agent helping your talent choose the right neighborhood in which to live, or some company-owned short-term flat; it's hard to know what's a good fit till you've lived in a city for a while. Who will pay the utilities? ("rates", there)? Even getting a bank account established can be tedious with new anti-terrorism rules in place. You are wise to pre-consider on behalf of your people. |
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Sending first expat to UK
posted at 1/20/2009 12:46 PM EST
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Posts: 1
First: 1/20/2009 Last: 1/20/2009 |
Communication home is really important: if you (or they) have got skype, that's great. But also think about mobile phones, e-mails, social networking sites (we've had people used to using these at home suddenly finding what they'd expected to rely on isn't working because they can't use Facebook or similar in work time). And check on time difference(s). How much is needed will depend on the individual(s), how many of their family are with them, their family & friend network at home; it will also vary according to how long they're going to be away.
"Cross cultural" preparation is really important, again modified according to how long someone is going to be away, but both beforehand & while on assignment. Between the US & the UK you're looking at 2 countries with English as a predominant language & yet still plenty of opportunities for misunderstandings. |
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Sending first expat to UK
posted at 1/21/2009 9:38 AM EST
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Posts: 1
First: 1/21/2009 Last: 1/21/2009 |
In my company we've learned that cross-cultural training is imperative. Not just information for the employee about the new culture, but also a adaptability assessment to measure an employee's AND their family's capability of adapting to the new environment. We've found that while employees are generally very interested and excited, it's sometimes the spouses and children that make us have to do an early repatriation.
I agree with the others on the topics of home leave and compensation (we have something called a living cost allowance to assist with making up the difference to pay for goods and services). You also want to make it very clear to the employee exactly what they're supposed to accomplish while being there and how long they have to do it. If it's a developmental asssignment for them, you should be clear on what skills you're expecting them to obtain and what happens if they don't do it within the specified timeframe. I hope this helps! |
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