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Domestic Relocation Tips Global Relocation Tips Household Goods Relocation Management Talent Management Talent Mobility

What is the Best Way to Recruit Top Talent in a Tight Job Market?

What is the best way to recruit top talent in a tight job market? Many recruiters and human resource professionals face this question on a daily basis. When an economy is growing, employment opportunities are plentiful. This in turn increases the difficulty of finding top talent for open positions. Competition for highly skilled and talented employees means employers must examine their processes and find new ways to gain an advantage in tight job markets.

Some employers have found unique ways to expand their recruiting efforts. Others have found advantages in offering programs that appeal to job seekers as well as their families. Often, employers must look inward to determine the specific reasons why employees choose to accept or decline their job offers. With this knowledge, employers can improve their recruiting processes to appeal to a larger number of candidates.

Here are five ways employers recruit top talent during a tight job market:

1. Leverage Social Media to Recruit Top Talent

The Society for Human Resource Management’s survey of HR professionals on whether they are using social media for talent acquisition shows that 84% of organizations are currently using social media for recruiting, and an additional 9% have plans to do so. Also, over 30% of organizations are targeting smartphone users with mobile recruiting efforts.

Most of these recruiting programs focus on passive job candidates. Efforts may be as simple as sharing job openings on company Linkedin pages, or digital advertisements targeted to appear when job seekers enter specific terms into a search engine. 71% of companies report these efforts are effective in decreasing the time to fill non-management salaried positions. Interestingly, companies report that these efforts are not as effective for recruiting executive and upper management positions, nor are they as effective for non-management, hourly employees. This divergence may be due to a number of factors including access to social media, interest in maintaining such connections, and overall time commitments impacting these groups in different ways.

2. Pre-Decision Services

Companies that are considering job candidates who may require relocation assistance can gain many benefits from using pre-decision services. Putting in the extra effort early in the relocation process delivers quantifiable results for productivity and cost reduction.

Pre-decision services include:

  • Candidate Assessment – Assess candidate expectations, skills, personal qualities, family circumstance, and financial preparedness.
  • Cost of Living Analysis – Cost of living comparison of origin and destination cities to help determine acceptable or competitive salary range.
  • Market Analysis – Determines the likely home sale timeline and identifies potential home sale challenges such as negative equity.
  • School Reports – Public and Private School reports provided to the relocating employee to aid community selection.
  • Moving Cost Estimates – Cost estimates on household goods transport helps budget for relocation costs.
  • Community Search and Tours – Coordinates community orientation tours to familiarize relocating employees to their new location, and assist in selecting an area that fits their particular interests.

Companies benefit from using pre-decision services in many ways:

  • Job acceptance ratios increase; failed relocations decrease.
  • Budget accuracy increases.
  • Eliminates the risk of non-acceptance by the transferee/assignee.
  • Streamline new location orientations.
  • Minimizes policy exceptions.
  • Identifies candidates unable or unwilling to relocate so efforts are re-focused on viable options.
  • Reveals concerns and issues prior to relocation, such as cultural differences or family concerns.
  • Proven overall cost savings.

3. Leverage Relocation Package in the Hiring Process to Recruit Top Talent

Companies that struggle to fill positions using traditional hiring methods may not understand how to use their relocation program to attract qualified candidates. In industries with many competitors all trying to attract the same candidates, it is often difficult for a smaller or less well-known company to be seen as an employer of choice. Also, the company may not be able to offer the same level of perks and amenities to job candidates. However, offering benefits such as more flexible work arrangements might help a company attract new hires.

Relocation programs are great vehicles to clearly demonstrate to job candidates how much a company values them and their families, as we have shown in our Case Study on Technology Industry Relocation Programs. Companies can communicate specific relocation program areas that reflect industry best practices, as well as highlight their job offer and relocation assistance package in the best manner to recruit top talent. Depending on the relocation program’s specific features, companies might highlight the package’s home buying assistance, spouse and partner assistance, and full destination services for the transferee’s needs.

4. Policy Exceptions for Relocation Packages

The moving process can be challenging, time-consuming, and result in significant delays for candidates to start their new position. When moving to a new location, house-hunting might require a number of trips to search for homes, neighborhoods, schools, and nearby amenities. Relocation packages should offer some flexibility so that candidates can more easily accept a job offer without having concerns about their ability to successfully complete their relocation.

Companies should have a defined process in their relocation policy that tells candidates how to request a policy exception. Candidates with special needs and requests will feel more comfortable knowing how they should proceed. Companies can also use this information to learn whether their relocation program might need adjustments in certain areas to reduce exceptions as well as to attract new hires.

5. Increase Compensation

Companies may need to increase compensation as a way to recruit top talent that is highly skilled and experienced. Depending on the industry, length of assignment, and job requirements, higher levels of pay that are reflective of the critical need for talent might help a company attract new hires.

Industry growth and increases in employment opportunities may also lead to a rise in compensation, as can be seen in the computer/information technology and healthcare industries. Positions requiring extensive skills, technical training, and significant investment in education and internships often result in higher wages than the median annual wage for all occupations. An increasingly important specialism in IT is cybersecurity, and salaries reflect high demand for new hires who possess the requisite skills and experience.

Conclusion

Global Mobility Solutions’ team of corporate relocation experts has helped thousands of our clients design relocation programs and market them effectively to enhance the attractiveness of their employment offerings and recruit top talent. As a result, we can help your company understand how to increase your recruiting program’s success by using best practices to design a relocation program that provides a clear and distinct competitive advantage.

Global Mobility Solutions is proud to be named and ranked #1 Overall, and #1 in Quality of Service by HRO Today’s 2019 Baker’s Dozen Customer Satisfaction Survey.

New SafeRelo™ COVID-19 Knowledge Portal

GMS recently launched its new SafeRelo™ COVID-19 Knowledge Portal featuring a number of helpful resources including:

  • Curated selection of news and articles specific to managing relocation programs and issues relating to COVID-19
  • Comprehensive guide to national, international, and local online sources for current data
  • Program/Policy Evaluation (PPE) Tool for instant relocation policy reviews

Contact our experts online or give us a call at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.

Request your complimentary relocation policy review

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Global Relocation Global Relocation Challenges Global Relocation Tips Global Relocation Trends Immigration Rules Relocation Challenges Talent Mobility Visas and International Travel

Australian Senate Approves Skilling Australians Fund Levy Legislation

The Australian Senate has recently passed the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy legislation aimed at developing a fund to provide training for Australians. This legislation is part of a larger group of initiatives that will change requirements for employers who would like to employ foreign workers to come to work in Australia. The SAF requires employers who sponsor temporary or permanent visas to pay levies. The SAF, while not yet fully implemented, is on track for implementation once the bill passes through Parliament.

The Skilling Australians Fund is seen as an important part of the Australian Government’s commitment to the private sector, growing the number of apprenticeships and traineeships and working in partnership with state and territory governments. The purpose of the SAF levy is to require employers who want to hire foreign workers to contribute to the skills development of Australians. This ensures those businesses that benefit from employing skilled foreign workers will also support training for Australians.

What are the key features of the Skilling Australians Fund legislation?

The SAF is designed to provide funds for Australian trainee and apprentice programs. When the legislation goes into effect, it will replace the current training requirement for employers. Currently, employers must demonstrate they are spending a sufficient amount of their business’s payroll on training programs.

Visa programs for which the levy will be assessed include:

  • Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) (subclass 482) visa
  • Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) (subclass 186) visa
  • Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) (subclass 187) visa

The applicable levies will be assessed in the following manner:

Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) (482) Nomination

  • Small Business A$1200 per year
  • Large Business (turnover A$10million or over) A$1800 per year

Employer Nomination Scheme visa

  • Small Business A$3000
  • Large Business A$5000

Additional changes in the legislation impact Labor Market Testing requirements. The changes included in the legislation require the following:

  • Conduct testing no more than four months prior to submission of a nomination application
  • Advertising must increase and run for four weeks, instead of the current 21 days

What should employers expect with this legislation?

Employers who have plans to hire foreign workers for positions in Australia should prepare for upcoming changes in labor market testing and advertising requirements. Employers should also plan for increased budgetary impacts due to the new SAF levy.

What should employers do?

Employers should review their hiring plans for foreign workers in Australia to determine timeframes for labor market testing and position advertising. Employers should also review the budget impact of the new SAF levy as it applies to temporary and permanent visa sponsorships.

Conclusion

Global Mobility Solutions’ team of global relocation experts have helped thousands of our clients with country-specific employment and work pass requirements. We can help your company understand how to plan for the SAF levy requirements in Australia. Contact our experts online or give us a call at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.

Request your complimentary Visa Program Assessment

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Relocation Challenges Relocation Management Relocation Policy Review Talent Management Talent Mobility

Top 5 Healthcare Industry Recruiting and Relocation Trends

The Healthcare Industry has been growing at an increasing pace over the past several years. Factors such as the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, an aging population, and technological advances all contribute to the ever-expanding demand for qualified healthcare employees. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that Healthcare will be the largest employment sector in the US economy by 2024.

Growth in the healthcare industry presents a number of difficulties for HR professionals. Filling positions quickly and effectively, creating a workplace that encourages employee engagement, ensuring smooth succession processes, and reducing employee turnover are some of these seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Increasing Retirement Rates

In addition to greater demand for services, the industry is facing rapidly increasing retirement rates for experienced employees. Especially in the nursing field, the impact of retirement will have a large impact on staffing levels. At least 55% of the RN workforce is over the age of 50 and quickly approaching retirement age. According to an American Association of the Colleges of Nursing (AACN) summary of reports, there will be a growing shortage of registered nurses across the country between 2009 and 2030. By 2025 the US is expected to experience a nursing shortage “twice as large as any nursing shortage experienced in this country since the mid-1960s” with the rapidly aging nursing workforce as the primary contributor.

The combination of increasing demand for employees and increasing rates of retirement creates an ever-widening talent gap in the healthcare industry. There are not enough employees to occupy new positions, nor are there enough employees to backfill positions that open due to retirement. As a result, at least 33% of hospitals have job vacancy rates greater than 10%. Clearly, traditional healthcare recruiting strategies are not able to fill positions at a fast enough pace to keep up with demand.

As a result of these changes, the following five trends in healthcare industry recruiting and relocation are emerging:

Top 5 Healthcare Industry Recruiting and Relocation Trends

1. Provide Exceptional Candidate Experiences

Healthcare industry recruiters must focus on keeping candidates happy and engaged in the recruitment process. Providing each candidate an exceptional experience is necessary to keep your organization as the candidate’s first choice in their employment search. The organization should conduct a review of the entire candidate experience, including the application process, interviews, job offers, relocation benefits, and onboarding procedures.

HR professionals should put themselves through each of these processes to see how their organization treats and responds to candidates. Successful recruiting programs treat candidates respectfully and make them feel highly valued. Candidates are more likely to choose to work for an employer that treats them well.

2. Use Data to Enhance Healthcare Industry Recruiting

Healthcare organizations must analyze the effectiveness of their recruiting activities. Knowing which efforts are working well, and which efforts are not, will help the organization identify what it needs to improve. For example, an organization may have a job advertising program in place within a journal or news network. If these programs are not providing qualified candidates that proceed to job offers and acceptances, the organization should consider redirecting those resources.

Conversely, if a partnership with a local university proves to be a good source of qualified candidates that proceed to employment, consider enhancing the program or creating additional partnerships. Think beyond current geographical boundaries; partnerships can easily generate candidate interest within international locales. Relocation Management Companies (RMCs) are ideal sources for information on global candidate recruitment and relocation.

3. Recruit for Cultural Fit

Healthcare organizations searching for qualified employees may be able to easily identify those with the requisite skills, education, and experience. However, healthcare is a unique industry in that it is so highly focused on personal interactions. Healthcare organizations looking to fill job vacancies at a pediatric practice would want candidates who enjoy working with children.

Pre-Decision Services are critical for healthcare organizations as they provide valuable information about a candidate’s ability to accept a position and be successful. Behavioral assessments can be a strong predictor for cultural fit. Healthcare organizations can easily identify candidates with the qualities that match their organizational culture. Assessment data can be paired with structured interview questions to better understand the candidate’s interests, goals, and motivations.

4. Create a Superior Healthcare Industry Employer Brand

Highly-skilled healthcare workers are in great demand. As a result, these workers can easily choose where they want to work and for which organization they prefer. Seventy-five percent of employees seeking new jobs consider an employer’s brand before applying for open positions. Consider how your healthcare organization’s brand appears to job seekers. Does it generate positive industry news? Are online reviews favorable from current employees as well as current customers? If the employer brand you find does not fill you with positive feelings, then you can be sure candidates are also experiencing this same feeling.

To create a successful employer brand and generate positive feeling among job seekers, healthcare organizations should find out from current employees whether the organization is one where people want to work. Also, research comments from employees and candidates on review websites and social media. Determine which issues are of concern and address them. This will help you ensure employees will perceive your organization as the brand you prefer it to be. Follow through by updating recruiting materials, websites, social media, job postings, emails, and other venues to be sure you amplify the correct employer brand and messages. Consider creating a branded career website with enhanced relocation program messages to welcome candidates to your organization.

5. Speed the Process to Keep Candidates Engaged

Qualified candidates are always seeking new opportunities, and your organization is always looking to hire. The quicker you help candidates move through the process, the more they will remain engaged and likely to consider your organization for employment.

According to the 2018 Recruiting Benchmark Report from Jobvite, the time to fill job vacancies in the healthcare industry is 38 days. At the same time, the industry has 21 applications per job, which is one of the lowest among industries. If several days or even weeks can be taken out of the process, the organization will benefit tremendously and experience lower job vacancy rates.

Conclusion

GMS’ team of corporate relocation experts have helped thousands of our clients develop relocation programs that attract and retain qualified employees. Our team can help your healthcare company by designing a relocation program that represents industry best practices. This will increase your company’s ability to attract and retain new employees.

GMS was the first relocation company to register as a “.com.” The company also created the first online interactive tools and calculators, and revolutionized the entire relocation industry. GMS continues to set the industry pace as the pioneer in innovation and technology solutions with its proprietary MyRelocation® technology platform.

Global Mobility Solutions is proud to be named and ranked #1 Overall, and #1 in Quality of Service by HRO Today’s 2019 Baker’s Dozen Customer Satisfaction Survey.

Contact our experts online to discuss your healthcare company’s relocation program needs, or give us a call at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.

Request your complimentary relocation policy review

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Domestic Relocation Domestic Relocation Trends Talent Management Talent Mobility

What are the 2018 North America Relocation Trends?

What are the major 2018 North America relocation trends shaping the industry? Employee relocation and workforce mobility continue to rise in importance for companies looking for growth. Technology allows employees to work anytime, anywhere, whether traveling for business, or from a remote work location.

Our team of North America relocation experts have identified four key trends that are shaping 2018 North America Relocation.

2018 North America Relocation Trends

Employee Expectations

Many companies respond to employee expectations for relocation assignments. New assignments can provide career opportunities, learning, and growth. Some companies proactively offer incoming employees incentives to locate in other areas that best meets their needs and wants. For companies to grow and succeed, challenging and rewarding relocation assignments are necessary and provide great incentives for employees whether it be global or North America relocation.

Reasons for Moving

Simply Self Storage’s survey notes several moving industry statistics, with 10.8% of respondents indicating “new job/transfer” as their main reason for moving. However, other employment-related reasons for moving include “easier commute” and “other job-related reasons”. These three reasons combine to account for 18% of the reasons for moving. Companies recognize this impact on employees and respond with various programs to promote employee satisfaction and increase home-work-life balance.

Costs

Relocation often is in response to several factors. Of the factors that are location-specific, housing costs and taxes are often cited as both the reason for employees to move away from one area and to move to another area. Companies are responding to cost pressures in their relocation programs as well. Companies understand their ability to draw talent is dependent on providing opportunities for good quality of life for employees.

Talent Mobility Management

Companies in North America compete in a global marketplace. Greater opportunities are available, but include greater challenges in deploying talent to succeed. Mobilizing employees who know the business and understand its future drives relocation trends. Political considerations are another factor for companies looking to open a facility and in turn relocate employees to open and run the new facility. Building a company that provides career growth and professional development opportunities will allow companies to attract and retain top talent.

Conclusion

Thoroughly reviewing your North America relocation policy and benchmarking to industry best practices is imperative. This keeps your company at the forefront of your industry peers, reinforces employee satisfaction, and promotes successful relocations. The North America relocation experts at Global Mobility Solutions (GMS) have the knowledge and expertise to help your company remain at the forefront of 2018 North America relocation trends, and offer your employees the best relocation experience.

Contact our team of experts to discuss your North America relocation policy needs, or call us at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.

Request your complimentary relocation policy review

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Employee Development Talent Management

Global Productivity and Employee Development

Companies can maintain a competitive advantage if they develop and utilize their employees. Greater automation across routine jobs means the remaining positions are where employees can help companies compete and succeed. What drives global productivity and employee development? There are three key factors companies must take into consideration to increase global productivity:

Job Engagement

What does it mean for an employee to be engaged in a job? Employee engagement is a key company initiative that continually shapes employee performance and promotes continuous improvement. Companies must create a culture that allows employees to become engaged. They can do this by giving them the training and tools needed to make choices that are good for the business. Employees who choose to engage in their job use their training and tools to accomplish tasks. Also, they drive projects to completion, and learn things during the process that make them more valuable to the company.

Talent Management

Talent management might take the form of competing in an international marketplace for employees with specific skills and experience. It might also take the form of inducing higher performance levels from current employees through the use of effective programs both for the individual employee and for the organization as a whole. Continual development and growth through learning opportunities provides many employees with a pathway toward higher job engagement. Job-related educational opportunities have been shown to increase the bond of an employee to an organization. Especially for younger workers, opportunities to learn provide them with a sense of accomplishment and a feeling of worth to the organization. Many learning opportunities might occur within a job assignment at a global location, requiring employee relocation. Pre-decision services can help companies and employees determine if the opportunity will be successful.

Workplace Culture

Creating a growth-oriented workplace culture requires companies to change their approach to managing employees. Companies that focus on performance development as opposed to performance management are more likely to foster a culture of productivity. Managers must evolve into coaches who focus on an employee’s development for their current position, and the future needs of both the employee and the organization. Looking forward to where the organization wants to be will give managers a view as to training and development opportunities current employees can take advantage of for their growth and for the company’s benefit. Older managerial concepts such as annual performance reviews and allowing seniority to determine who should manage need to change. Managers as coaches need to give continual feedback and be available for employees in a fast-moving environment. Employers should give employees with the best skills relating to and inspiring other employees the opportunity to lead teams and projects.

Conclusion

Three key factors drive global productivity and employee development: job engagement, talent management, and workplace culture. The global relocation experts at Global Mobility Solutions (GMS) have the knowledge and expertise to help your company understand how to improve productivity and promote employee development with a well-designed global relocation program.

Contact our team of experts to discuss your global relocation program needs, or call us at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.

Request your complimentary relocation policy review

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Global Mobility Global Relocation Global Relocation Tips Global Relocation Trends Immigration Rules Relocation Challenges Relocation Management Relocation Programs Relocation Technology

What are the 2018 Global Relocation Trends?

What are the major 2018 global relocation trends shaping the industry? As workforce mobility and employee relocation continues to increase, several trends change how clients respond to increasing employee requirements regarding their relocation needs. Also, global changes in how employees are able to accept transferee assignments, such as limits on working visas and work permits, further impact company plans for mobility.

Our team of global relocation experts have identified five key trends that are shaping 2018 Global Relocation.

2018 Global Relocation Trends

Growth in Partner and Spouse Career Support Programs

As companies continue to expand globally, the need for a mobile workforce to accept transferee assignments has increased exponentially. Along with this mobile workforce, services designed specifically for spouses and partners have become increasingly important to employees. Spouses and partners are critical to ensuring transferee success. It is important for clients to provide support and information specifically for spouses and partners to help them with their relocation process. Specifically, pre-decision support, an online job search and assistance portal, and professional career services are important programs and services for spouses and partners. Transferees can be secure in the knowledge that their spouses and partners will receive as much assistance as they need to be successful in their new location.

Flexible and Responsive Global Relocation Programs

Global relocation programs need to provide enough flexibility to anticipate and provide for challenges and opportunities that are unique to specific locations. Many multi-national clients have designed a corporate-level relocation program, which then is further customized for each international headquarter location. Relocation programs designed at the corporate level need to provide for a multitude of options and differences across locations. Our recent Case Study on Implementation Success Factors describes in detail the importance of identifying all stakeholders and engaging them early in the process to ensure implementation success.

Immigration Challenges

Countries are increasingly placing limits on the number and types of working visas and work permits that allow transferees to enter the country legally for work assignments. Some countries such as the United Kingdom have seen the number of applications exceed the monthly quota. Other countries such as China have changed requirements and set up a Working Permits Points System that emphasizes transferees with specialized knowledge. The United States has instituted travel restrictions for specific locations, and has increased enforcement of immigration requirements. As countries around the world respond to migration challenges, the impact on global relocation programs will continue to evolve.

Technology Advances

Global relocation programs continue to respond to evolving technology changes. Increasingly, mobile technology must be responsive to provide transferees with information and solutions during their relocation process when they need it, wherever they are located. Transferees should be able to get information on the go, and upload expenses for quick reimbursement. Mobile enhanced relocation technology solutions such as MyRelocation should be available, as it is platform-responsive and able to be accessed anywhere, making it the most useful solution for a mobile workforce.

Outsourcing Relocation Programs to Industry Experts

Global relocation programs must cover a wide array of specialized issues such as tax, visa applications, and compliance reporting. Furthermore, it is to a client’s best advantage to consult with experts who have knowledge and experience in the specific aspects of these areas as they relate to global relocation programs. Companies can benefit from an outsourced solution that specializes in unique relocation needs. Working with relocation experts who have extensive experience in these and other areas can help a company avoid risks and respond more effectively to transferee’s requests for guidance and advice.

Conclusion

Thoroughly reviewing your global relocation policy and benchmarking to industry best practices keeps your company at the forefront of your industry peers, reinforces employee satisfaction, and promotes successful relocations. The global relocation experts at Global Mobility Solutions (GMS) have the knowledge and expertise to help your company remain at the forefront of 2018 global relocation trends, and offer your employees the best relocation experience.

Contact our team of experts to discuss your global relocation policy needs, or call us at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.

Request your complimentary relocation policy review

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Global Relocation Challenges Global Relocation Tips Global Relocation Trends Immigration Rules Visas and International Travel

Slovakia Employment Rules Change for Non-EU Nationals

Slovakia Employment Rules: Slovakia is currently facing a shortage of qualified employees across several industries. To ease this situation, the Slovak government will reduce the restrictive requirements currently in place regarding employment for non-EU nationals starting May 1, 2018.

What are the Slovakia Employment Rules Changes?

Slovakia’s Act on Employment Services will require vacant position notifications to be reported to the Labor Office for twenty business days instead of the current thirty business days. This reduces the overall single permit processing time.

Districts which have average unemployment rates lower than 5% will have a simplified single permit process for occupations with labor shortages. The Labor Office will issue confirmation on filling job vacancies without conducting a local labor market test.

Single permit holders hired without a local labor market test in this simple procedure can only comprise 30% or less of a company’s total employment.

Additionally, new documents must be provided to the Labor Office to support the assignment of a non-EU national from another EU member state. These documents include confirmation of the accommodation for the assignment duration, a copy of Form A1, and a copy of the EU member state’s residence document (if applicable).

What Should Employers Expect?

Employers who have been convicted of illegally hiring foreign nationals in the most recent two year period will not be able to utilize the simple procedure.

Employers should learn about and understand the new simple procedure available in Slovakia. The Employment Rules change may allow employers to hire additional non-EU nationals in a shorter timeframe in order to meet business goals and objectives.

Most companies in Slovakia claim the simple procedures will not result in a massive search for workers outside of EU countries. Currently, the majority of workers in Slovakia who are from countries outside the EU are from Serbia and Ukraine. Half of these employees have a university-level education.

Conclusion

Global Mobility Solutions’ team of global relocation experts have helped thousands of our clients with country-specific employment rule changes and work requirements, and we can help your company understand how to comply with the new Slovakia employment rules change for non-EU nationals. Contact our experts online or give us a call at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.

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Corporate relocation tips Global Mobility Global Relocation Challenges Global Relocation Tips Immigration Rules

Nine Tips to Ensure Form I-9 Compliance in Case of a Site Audit

Nine Tips: All U.S. employers must ensure proper completion of Form I-9 for every individual they hire for employment in the United States, including both US citizens and non-citizens, with very few exceptions. Form I-9 is used for verifying the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment. How can you be sure your company is fully compliant in case of a site audit?

Here are nine tips to ensure Form I-9 compliance:

Documentation Tips

  1. Ensure all new employees complete Section 1 of Form I-9 by their first day of employment.

Note that Form I-9 cannot be completed before the individual has received and accepted their job offer.

  1. Employers must use the most recent version of Form I-9 published by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).

The latest edition includes changes to the Form’s instructions and its List of Acceptable Documents. The form was most recently updated on 7/17/2017.

  1. The employer must complete Section 2 of Form I-9 within three business days of the new employee’s first date of employment.

An important point to note is that if an employee is being hired for less than three business days, employers must complete Section 2 on the employee’s first day of employment.

Filing, Reorganization, and Inspection Tips

  1. Keep Form I-9 on file for three years after the hire date or one year after termination, whichever date is later.

In the event of an inspection by U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), you must have forms available for all employees within the required maintenance period. Investigating officers will usually ask for a current payroll list to confirm the company’s existing employees.

  1. In the event of a corporate reorganization, change, merger, or acquisition, employers must assess Form I-9 requirements.

Employers who have purchased or merged with another company may either choose to treat employees continuing in employment as “new hires,” meaning that a new Form I-9 must be completed for all employees, or they may choose to treat them as “continuing in employment.” The latter allows the employer to obtain and maintain the previously completed Form I-9s for each employee. Those who choose the “continuing in employment” option assume any risks or liabilities of the previous employer in relation to the I-9s, such as errors or omissions, or missing forms. Employers should audit the documents in the event of any corporate change.

  1. For inspections, ICE will usually arrive and present an I-9 Notice of Inspection (NOI) outlining documents it needs to inspect.

The NOI generally requires the employer to present the requested documentation within 72 hours. The NOI may grant an exception to this requirement on rare occasions. Documents often requested include Form 1-9s, payroll records, Articles of Incorporation, business licenses, names of any contractors or subcontractors, and proof of E-Verify enrollment (if any).

Resource Tips

  1. Your immigration attorney should help you develop a specific plan to prepare your company for an audit.

Industry experts with knowledge and experience in managing site audits are an invaluable resource and can provide guidance on what a site audit entails, including how to utilize technology, conduct internal audits to verify compliance, and educating sponsored and unsponsored employees on how to respond in case of a site visit.

  1. Refer to USCIS Handbook for Employers M-274 if you have questions about Form I-9 compliance.

This handbook includes USCIS guidance on employer best practices for completing, storing, and maintaining Form I-9s. You can find answers to questions such as how to correct a Form I-9. The USCIS updates the handbook semi-regularly, so be sure you are accessing the most recent version.

  1. If you are not sure about the best practices for your global immigration program in general, contact an industry expert.

Industry experts with knowledge and experience in managing Form I-9 compliance and site audits are valuable resources and can help you with your compliance and site audit plan, as well as understanding these nine tips.

Conclusion

Global Mobility Solutions’ team of global relocation experts have helped thousands of our clients with Form I-9 compliance requirements. We can help your company understand how to be in compliance and how to respond to a site audit. Contact our experts online or give us a call at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.

Request your complimentary relocation policy review

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Business Services Choosing a Relocation Company Relocation Management

Does Your Relocation Management Company Provide a Customized, Right-Fit Program?

Companies achieve the most success with a customized, right-fit program for relocation that is specifically designed to meet their unique requirements. Employees and their families expect a broad range of services to help them during their relocation process. How can you be sure your company is competitive with your relocation program and able to attract and retain the best talent?

Here are five questions you should ask your Relocation Management Company (RMC) to ensure you receive a customized, right-fit program:

Why You Should Choose Global Mobility Solutions for your right-fit program

Does Your Program Align With Our Needs?

Your RMC should thoroughly review and understand your company’s mobility needs, objectives, move patterns, locations, and any other specific requirements. Ask your RMC how the program they provide will address each of these areas. Ask them how it will be in full alignment with your company’s worldwide mobility needs.

Does Your Program Provide Dedicated Account Management and Mobility Consulting?

You should have dedicated account management for your company so you can be sure your needs are met quickly and efficiently. Ask your RMC if they provide mobility consulting so Human Resources, Procurement, and Recruiting team members can have access to expert advice and guidance.

Is There a Single Point of Coordination?

Ask your RMC if they provide a single point of coordination for your employees and their families. Relocating employees should have a dedicated advocate who understands their specific needs. A single point of coordination allows for ease of communication and provides assistance for employees throughout their relocation process.

Does Your Program Provide Access to a World-Class Partner Network?

Your company should have access to a world-class partner network of providers. Employees and their families should receive the best service during their relocation process as it promotes successful relocations. Ask your RMC how they can assure your company receives the highest levels of quality at the lowest cost on a worldwide basis.

What Global Technology Does Your Program Provide?

Your employees and their families should have access to user-friendly tools and features so their relocation process is smooth and easy. Ask your RMC what technology they provide on a global basis. Your employees should always have access to the tools and resources they need, when and where they need it.

Conclusion

The most successful corporate relocation programs are customized, providing a right-fit that aligns with company objectives and employee’s expectations. Global Mobility Solutions (GMS) provides its clients with a Freedom of Choice™ model that sets the industry standard of excellence. For example, we have no affiliation with any service provider. As a result, we make supplier selections by using performance ratings and guaranteed savings. We provide a customized program that is a “Right-Fit” to our client’s needs and requirements.

Our Team of corporate relocation experts can provide a customized, right-fit program for your company. Contact our team of relocation experts to request a presentation, or give us a call at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.

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Categories
Immigration Rules Visas and International Travel

EU Citizen Rights: Arriving in UK During Post-BREXIT Transition May Not Secure Same Rights

EU citizen rights are not secure for those arriving in the UK during the post-BREXIT transition. Prime Minister Theresa May indicated EU citizens arriving post-BREXIT may not receive the same rights as those who arrived prior to the vote. Prime Minister May said while the details were a matter for negotiation with the EU, she is clear that there is a difference between the EU citizens who were in the UK prior to the vote, and those who arrive afterward, knowing the UK is leaving the EU.

What is the question on EU citizen rights?

Prime Minister May believes the government is doing what the British people asked the government to do, which is to deliver on the promise of BREXIT. As such, complete freedom of movement for EU citizens into the UK post-BREXIT is not supported during the transition period.

Prime Minister May has stated that EU citizens who arrive during the post-BREXIT transition must not have the same rights as those EU citizens within the UK prior to the vote. Prime Minister May has been very appreciative of the contributions EU citizens residing in the UK have made, and has clearly stated that “EU citizens living lawfully in the UK” will be able to stay in the UK post-BREXIT.

Who does this EU citizen rights issue affect?

  • Employers who have EU citizen employees currently residing in the UK.
  • EU citizens who arrive in the UK during the post-BREXIT implementation period and who are seeking residency.

What should employers and citizens expect from this EU citizen rights issue?

There may be an increase in applications for residency in the UK in response to Prime Minister May’s comments. Although the European Parliament believes citizen’s rights during implementation are in full effect and are not negotiable, Prime Minister May’s statements indicate negotiations on this point have not been finalized in her view. EU citizens may want to expedite their applications for residency with the expectation that a firm deadline will be negotiated.

Conclusion

Global Mobility Solutions’ team of global relocation experts have helped thousands of our clients manage relocation to the UK, as well as understand how BREXIT will impact their programs. We can help your company understand the impact of this EU citizen rights issue, and how to submit applications for residency in the UK. Contact our experts online or give us a call at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.

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