Many relocating employees feel they aren’t getting the right support – especially when it comes to cultural adaptation, language training, and family support – despite companies investing heavily in global mobility.
This is according to Crown World Mobility’s latest report, The Changing Face of Relocation, which surveyed over 1,000 expats and 200 HR and mobility decision-makers to assess the effectiveness of relocation support programmes.
The findings reveal a disconnect between HR’s perception of the support they provide and how well employees feel prepared for the challenges of relocation.
Most HR and mobility teams believe they offer adequate training, with 56% stating their programmes significantly impact employee success abroad. However, many employees say they aren’t getting the help they need.
- 37% of assignees say they received no cultural training at all, despite cultural adaptation being one of the biggest challenges.
- 28% report receiving no language training, and 26% say they would have benefited from it.
- Only 21% of assignees say they were given clear objectives for their relocation, leaving many feeling directionless.
Caitlin Pyett, Global Consulting Lead at Crown World Mobility, explained why this gap is concerning: “Many expats assume they’ll pick up cultural and language skills naturally when they arrive, but in reality, struggling through adaptation without proper training can be stressful and isolating. HR teams must ensure support isn’t just a tick-box exercise; it needs to be tailored, ongoing, and responsive to real-world challenges.”
Partner and family integration into the host country also plays a crucial role in a successful relocation. However, many organisations fail to provide adequate support for accompanying spouses and dependents.
- 23% of expats say their partner needed more assistance to settle into the new country.
- 16% report that struggles related to their partner had a negative impact on their own mental health.
- While 54% of HR managers say they offer career coaching for spouses, only a small percentage of expats report actually receiving this support.
Jo Danehl, Intercultural & Language Training Leader at Crown World Mobility, stressed the importance of holistic support: “An unhappy spouse or struggling family can quickly derail an assignment. Companies need to think beyond just the assignee, offering career coaching, cultural training, and community support for partners to increase the chance of long-term success.”
