Perhaps your employer has recently presented you with an opportunity for a short-term assignment overseas, or they've mentioned several short-term assignments throughout the year. The challenge lies in ensuring that these professional commitments align with your family responsibilities. How can you strike a balance between the two? Should you undertake these work assignments alone, or is it feasible to involve your family? Let's delve into the key considerations you should explore and offer some guidance.
Is there a specific duration for the short-term transfers?
As a reminder, there are two primary categories of international work assignments: temporary transfers and professional relocation. Temporary transfers involve a brief work assignment spanning a few weeks or months, while professional relocation entails a longer commitment over several years. The details of your transfer will be outlined in a contract amendment.
Do I have to accept a transfer overseas?
What does your contract stipulate? If it mentions frequent or occasional international travel, you may be obligated to accept your employer's assignments. Therefore, pay attention when defining your workplace, job description, and expected tasks. Contracts for roles involving significant travel may not always explicitly state this, as it is typically assumed that you are aware of this requirement. However, some companies include mobility clauses in their contracts, especially for specific positions. A mobility clause allows your employer to change your work location without your consent.
If you decline an overseas assignment, you should have a valid reason, such as family or medical issues. An unexplained refusal could be viewed as a form of professional insubordination.
Can my family accompany me abroad?
If you are facing a series of short assignments and wish to have your family accompany you, your contract is the key document regulating your situation. In fact, the contract allows you to negotiate various benefits and expenses. Companies tend to be accommodating, especially for extended international assignments, providing support for your family, including dependent visas, assistance for your children's education, and help for your spouse in terms of job search or training. This ideal scenario aligns with what is typically outlined in an expatriation contract. However, the reality often falls short, as many expatriate families do not benefit from these favorable clauses, especially for short-term transfers overseas.
If your company covers your travel and accommodation expenses, it is not guaranteed that they will do the same for your family. The costs can be significant, particularly if you are undertaking multiple assignments abroad. This solution might not be in your family's best interest either. You will need to consider how your partner will manage their job and how your children will handle their schooling and education. Frequent travel is an integral part of your professional duties, but it may not align with your family's everyday life. In most cases, your employer would prefer to fund your return to your home country rather than the other way around.
Are you considering a long-term roaming lifestyle? It's an excellent way to balance frequent travel abroad with family life. Parents who are often on the move but still spend most of their time at home may opt to homeschool their children, a practice that is regulated by law. For instance, in France, it is an option for families living a nomadic lifestyle. These families are required to submit an IEF (Instruction En Famille) application and will be subject to regular monitoring by local authorities and the French Ministry of Education.
However, digital nomads may not qualify for such provisions. Such families are no longer considered tax residents of their home country. It's, therefore, crucial to consider their tax residency status and whether they need a visa. Stays exceeding three months often require a visa, depending on one's nationality, and can establish travelers as tax residents of the host country. Consequently, they become subject to the host country's regulations, including those regarding children's education. Additionally, keep in mind that homeschooling is not authorized in all countries.
More tips for dealing with short-term transfers abroad and family life
Bringing your family along can be challenging, but staying connected requires thorough communication. Did you establish your career before or after starting a family? How do these transfers align with your children's timeline?
Usually, the international assignee is seen as fully engaged, while the partner staying home may be perceived as enduring the situation. To avoid this situation, dividing the responsibilities with your partner is essential. It's important to recognize that you won't be able to stay as involved in your children's education as if you were always present. Similarly, you might miss family gatherings, birthdays, and outings. While you might feel frustrated at first, it's crucial to understand that your frustration is just as legitimate, even if you have chosen this way of life.
Talk to your partner to find effective ways to stay connected. Involve your children once they're old enough to grasp the situation. Seek assistance from family and friends. Consider keeping diaries, whether in digital or paper form, based on your artistic and ecological preferences. Share your experiences and avoid extended periods of silence, where you suddenly reappear with arms full of gifts. The rhythm may vary, depending on your family relationships. Respect each other's personalities and collaborate to establish strategies for nurturing family bonds amid your frequent overseas missions.
