Four in five UK firms have relocated staff abroad but most lack full preparation

Nearly four in five UK employers have relocated staff overseas, yet only a third feel employees are fully prepared for life abroad, according to research by Towergate Employee Benefits.

The study found 41% of employers believe staff are fully prepared for practical aspects such as schooling and banking, while 39% think they are ready for cultural differences.

Just 36% said employees are prepared for the new way of living, including isolation from friends and family, and 32% for changes in climate.

Sarah Dennis, head of international at Towergate Employee Benefits, said: “Working abroad is very different to taking a holiday, an entirely different level of preparation is required.

“If things go wrong, the employee’s health and wellbeing may suffer, the overseas assignment may fail, and the emotional, physical and financial costs could be huge.”

Employers cited a range of measures to support relocation, including training for line managers (48%), in-country training once abroad (46%), ongoing assignment support (39%) and one-to-one training before departure (37%).

However, Towergate said more comprehensive preparation is needed, covering all four pillars of wellbeing – physical, mental, social and financial – for both employees and their families.

Dennis added: “It is likely to cost significantly less to fully prepare an employee before an assignment starts, than to try to put things right when they are already overseas or if things go wrong. The message is clear: preparation must be prioritised, and it’s never too early to start.”

Hannah Goldstraw, senior consultant at Barrow Mount Recruitment, said: “We often see overseas assignments falter not because of the job itself, but because the personal and cultural challenges were underestimated.

“Employers who invest in comprehensive preparation – covering not just the role but every aspect of the employee’s life abroad – are far more likely to see a successful relocation.

“That means thinking ahead about family support, cultural integration and ongoing wellbeing, not just the logistics of the move.”