The Hidden Factor That Makes or Breaks Your Employee Assignments Abroad

Jan de Vries · 2026-07-15

When you send an employee overseas, you're investing serious time and money. You've got business objectives to hit, career paths to map out, and a whole lot of logistics to sort. But there's one thing that often gets overlooked, and it might be the very thing that determines whether your assignment succeeds or fails: employee happiness. It sounds simple, but it's deeper than you think. Happiness isn't just about a nice apartment or a good salary. It's about mental and physical health, feeling safe, and knowing someone has your back when things get tough. And according to our latest research, a lot of employers are starting to worry about this. ### Why Happiness Matters More Than You Think Here's the thing: healthy, happy employees are more productive. They solve problems better, they stick around longer, and they actually want to make the assignment work. That's not just feel-good talk; it's backed by data. Our research shows that 26% of employers are worried their overseas employees will be unhappy and want to come home early. Another 19% fear the assignment might just fall apart. So what's the solution? It's not about throwing more money at the problem. It's about providing robust health and wellbeing support that covers both mental and physical health. When you do that, you're not just making your employee feel good; you're actively increasing the chances of your assignment succeeding. ### The Real Risks Overseas Working abroad isn't the same as working from home. The risks change depending on where you are. One country might have different safety concerns than another. Think about things like traveling alone, navigating unfamiliar areas, or knowing what to do in an emergency. These aren't just hypotheticals; they're real challenges that can affect an employee's sense of security. Employers need to be aware of these regional differences. It's not enough to have a one-size-fits-all policy. You need to offer support that's tailored to the specific location. That might mean providing guidance on local customs, setting up emergency protocols, or simply making sure your employee knows who to call if something goes wrong. ### The Compliance Challenge Here's where things get complicated. The mandatory health and wellbeing support you need to provide for overseas employees isn't the same everywhere. Each country has its own rules and regulations, and keeping up with them can be a headache. But that doesn't mean you can ignore it. If you do, you risk failing in your duty of care, and that can lead to legal trouble and a whole lot of bad press. The smart move? Get expert advice. Don't try to figure it out on your own. There are professionals who specialize in this stuff, and they can help you navigate the complexities so you stay compliant and keep your employees safe. ### What Employers Are Actually Prioritizing Our research dug into what employers really care about when supporting employees abroad. Here's what we found: - 47% say fulfilling business objectives is their top priority. - 41% focus on career progression for the employee. - But nearly a third (32%) don't prioritize health and wellbeing at all. That last number is worrying. If you're not prioritizing health and wellbeing, you're not just failing your employee; you're also potentially failing your business. Because when an employee is unhappy or unsafe, the assignment suffers. And that means your investment doesn't pay off. ### The Gap Between Concern and Action Here's a paradox we uncovered: 35% of employers are concerned about their overseas employees' mental health, and another 35% worry about physical health. Yet 32% of businesses don't prioritize health and wellbeing for those same employees. That's a disconnect. It's like being worried about your car breaking down but never getting an oil change. The concern is there, but the action isn't. The message is simple: if you're worried, there's support available. You don't have to figure this out alone. There are tools, services, and experts who can help you close that gap and actually do something about your concerns. ### The Bottom Line Employee happiness isn't a nice-to-have; it's a must-have for successful assignments abroad. When you prioritize health, safety, and wellbeing, you're not just checking a box. You're actively improving the chances that your employee will thrive, your assignment will succeed, and your business will see a return on its investment. So take a close look at the support you're offering. Ask yourself: are you doing enough? And if the answer is no, don't wait. Make the change. Your employees, and your bottom line, will thank you.