Company Repatriation Contradicts Company Priorities

Compiled ByEric J. Merfalen According to a recent survey by consulting firm KPMG LLP, the repatriation process among companies that send employees on oversees assignments is not managed well. The study, "International Human Resources Internet Survey," found that there is a high level of priority when it comes to sending employees on such assignments, but low capitalization on the employee's experience afterward. Only 35% of those surveyed stated that their companies have successfully managed the repatriation process. One possible reason for this could be attributed to the late planning of the employee's return home -- 49% of the companies surveyed do not begin planning for the asignee's return until three to six months before repatriation. Timothy Dwyer, national director of international HR consulting services for KPMG, explains that "if the company does not appropriately plan for the repatriation and make the employee feel at ease, there is a good chance the employee will defect to a competitor who will gain the benefits of the employee's international experience, without having to foot the bill." Planning and follow-through are essential to capitalizing on the employee's experience to benefit the company the most.