Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/149047
Relocation Flexible Mobility How short-term assignments are reducing costs while retaining talent. By Debbie Bolla It's pretty evident: Short-term assignments for corporate relocation are on their way to becoming a long-term solution. The numbers are in favor of this strategy for both domestic and international mobility. A Mercer 2012 Survey of International Assignment Policies and Practices reported that 51 percent of respondents saw an increase in short-term assignments during the last two years, and 71 percent expect an increase in the next 24 months. And a 2012 Worldwide Employee Relocation Council (WERC) survey had similar findings of 66 percent of organizations anticipating an increase in this type of solution. "Based on our work with clients, we attribute the increase in short-term assignments directly to their business' needs," notes Bill Nemer, senior vice president of client services for Graebel. "Frequently, project-based, short-term assignments can bring essential talent to the work site to achieve clear objectives, and once completed, the assignee returns to the original work location." So what exactly does a short-term assignment entail? Typically an employee transfers to the new location for a three- to 12-month project, which sometimes can extend to 18 months [46] HRO TODAY MAGAZINE | JULY/AUGUST 2013 tops. Candidates are placed in corporate-type housing, and family is sometimes included, depending on circumstance. The taxonomy of short-term assignments is often interchanged with developmental assignments (typical of skills transfer) or rotational assignments, which occur in a series and at a few different locations (typical with training). Some—but not the majority—of project work can also be solved with long-distance commuting or frequent business travel. There are plenty of upsides for short-term assignments from the perspective of both the organization and their employees. First and foremost comes cost reduction. Much of the heavy lifting associated with corporate relocation is eliminated with these temporary projects. "Short-term assignments are a much better financial proposition, and that is why organizations are finding them so attractive," explains Deborah Graham, vice president of global client relations for Paragon Global Resources. Graham notes that compared to loss on sale programs, shortterm assignments are much more cost effective. Loss on sale