03 May 2012

Five Epic Assignment Fails



Anyone familiar with International Assignments would agree that, for an employee, taking an assignment is a risky business.  One could also argue that not taking one is also career-suicide.  The degree of risk is as much dependent upon the business' administration of its assignment program as it is on the assignee's skill in managing his/her own career.

In no particular order, here's some unfortunate collateral career damage that may occur:
  1. Point of No Return: An assignee, for whatever reason, has no position to return to at the end of the international assignment and is either localized or severed.
  2. Take this Job and Shove It: There is a position available at the end of the assignment, but it's not one that the assignee likes or wants. 
  3. Bait and Switch: The assignee was 'promised' a certain position in the home location but it was given to another individual. 
  4. Love 'em and Leave 'em: The assignee accepts a position with another company shortly after their repatriation. 
  5. Out of Sight, Out of Mind: An assignee returns after a long-term assignment and by the time he/she returns, no one in the home location knows who he/she is and therefore he/she is more likely to leave the company soon after returning. 
Still with all of these possible unfortunate outcomes, persons are still encouraged to go on assignment.  None of the programs I have worked with have ever guaranteed a position at the end of the assignment.  However, the best programs will have a central point of assignment management and frequent meetings to discuss each assignee, how things are going, and what plans there are for the ultimate return.  This will occur with the involvement of senior management.

Even with that in place, people are people, promises made and broken, bridges built and burned.

Some assignees I have worked with have been really skittish about what happens at the end, so much so that they requested (and received) written statements that guarantee that they will have a return position at the end of the assignment.  U.S. Internal Legal Departments hate these because it completely erodes the much embraced at-will employment protection provided to employers.  I really couldn't say if it helps ensure a positive outcome, if anything, the assignee might actually receive bad marks for insisting on these assurances and, in the end, the company's interest in and perception of that employee will have the biggest influence on the final outcome.

If my best friend were considering taking a foreign assignment and the timing was right for them personally and professionally, I would encourage them to take the risk.  The personal benefits to the enriching experience of working overseas are priceless.  No guts, no glory.

The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing, and becomes nothing. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn and feel and change and grow and love and live.
- Leo F. Buscaglia

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