ExpatRepat Services
by Robert E. "", President
ExpatRepat Services
October 18, 2001, shortly after the trauma of the 9-11 experience, we conducted a telephone conference for leaders in International HR. Participants dialed in from Europe and Asia, as well as from over the U.S. We had a stimulating session on how International HR leaders, after September 11th, can "Make a Difference in a Time of Concern." Our guest presenter was Evan Evans, Senior Vice President and Senior Personnel Executive for Bank of America in Tokyo, Japan.
Insights were shared on how specific companies were dealing with such issues as:
Allaying the fears of employees (both expatriates from the U.S. and expatriates to the U.S.) following the horrific events on September 11.
Providing security for all employees in host country sites (both U.S. expatriates and host country employees).
Sharing information with all employees, at home and abroad, on that which should be considered as prudent action in any context for the safety and security of those employees.
Provisions for evacuating expatriates from assignments when expatriate families are in harm's way.
Urging greater diligence be put forth when selecting candidates for international assignments. Possessing only business competencies, it was stressed, is not enough when expatriate performance also requires that expatriates adjust well to the host culture, often amid security challenges.
Questions were raised about the impact on employees at home and abroad from the devastation and trauma in New York and the Pentagon losses. Session participants provided some thoughtful and interesting responses.
It was noted that traumatic or devastating losses are not really new, just more apparent due to the reality of such horrific losses taking place inside the U.S. Some told of experiences of IRA bombings in London; employees being extricated from a crumbling bank facility in Beirut, Lebanon; joining resources among three companies to charter a 747 to evacuate all American expatriates from Jakarta when Indonesia once was a caldron of danger; and, dangers faced regularly in other locations such as Colombia.
All participants agreed, "there are no easy or simple answers" for the profound questions now confronting companies doing business globally. Previously unimagined issues will continue to arise.
Here are some insights shared that may be crucial for you as a leader in International HR as we go forward in our global marketplace.
Support from top management is a must, as well as careful and prudent planning to meet employee needs, both domestically and internationally. Plans must be made for host native employees as well as for your expatriates.
Create, evaluate, and update policies for possible eventualities. Make certain there is appropriate information shared with all employees regularly. Insure all plans are easily understood, current, adequate, and sustained by required resources.
Realize each employee must take responsibility for his or her own actions in particular contexts. Employee readiness to meet challenges must be in addition to company plans to insure safety, security, and profitability as locations are chosen prudently where employees will be posted.
Recognize present circumstances focus such intense attention upon the need to regain a sense of normalcy in a complex world that all of us will face a very steep learning curve. No longer will it be "business as usual."
We must value the mutual helpfulness among leaders in International HR and cultivate exchange of non-proprietary information and ideas so as to benefit all employees. This will focus particularly on how companies seek better ways to value the safety and security of all their associates, whether American expatriates or host country employees.
In the October session of Expatriate Roundtable, Evan Evans, Senior Vice President of Bank of America in Tokyo, emphasized: "This is the time for HR leadership, both domestic and international, to stand tall. This is a time to help make a difference in a time of concern."
With what questions might we assist you on expatriate security? For immediate assistance, contact us.
Read more articles about expatriation.