The Hidden Factor That Determines Whether Overseas Assignments Succeed or Fail

Jan de Vries · 2026-07-15

When you send an employee overseas, you're betting big. Time, money, and talent are all on the line. But there's one factor that often gets overlooked, and it might be the difference between a thriving assignment and a costly failure. Employee happiness. Not just a nice-to-have, but a real driver of success. Here's why. ### The Happiness-Profitability Connection Health and wellbeing support is key to all-round mental and physical health. It supports the happiness of your employee and, therefore, is likely to have a positive impact on the success of their work too. Our latest research shows that 26% of employers are worried their overseas employees will be unhappy and want to return home. Another 19% fear the assignment simply won't work out. But here's the thing: providing robust health and wellbeing support promotes overall wellbeing, which helps with happiness. And healthy, happy employees tend to be more productive. That means better results for both the employee and the business. ### Why Overseas Assignments Are Different Employee happiness when working overseas should be a genuine concern for employers. Mental and physical health, along with the success of the placement, are all connected. You've got to take a holistic approach to support that addresses all these areas. Health, safety, and wellbeing should be top priorities for all employees, whether they're based in the US or abroad. But it's arguably even more important for those overseas, where support might be harder to find and employees can feel isolated. Given the time and money it takes to set up an employee abroad, it's understandable that you're invested in the assignment's success. But that shouldn't overtake the priorities of health, safety, and wellbeing. In fact, supporting those areas is very likely to improve the outcome. ### The Risks Vary by Location Risks associated with working abroad differ by country and region. It's vital that you're aware of these and offer appropriate support for your workforce's safety, from guidance on traveling alone to protocols on what to do in an emergency. The mandatory health and wellbeing support you're obligated to provide also differs for each region. This can get complicated, but that doesn't mean you should overlook it. You might need expert advice to help ensure compliance with the rules of each country. ### What Employers Actually Prioritize Our research shows the importance of the assignment itself: - 47% say fulfilling business objectives is a top priority in supporting employees abroad - 41% state career progression is a top priority But here's a troubling stat: nearly a third of businesses (32%) do not prioritize the health and wellbeing of their employees abroad. Furthermore, just 60% of employers said that safety is a top priority. That's a worrying result for employees, but also for employers who may be failing to comply with regulations and possibly failing in their duty of care. Combined with the fact that 26% worry their employees will be unhappy and want to return home, those who take action are likely to see positive outcomes all around. ### The Gap Between Concern and Action Our research investigated the concerns employers have about their employees working abroad: - 35% are concerned about mental health and wellbeing - 35% are concerned about physical health and wellbeing - 34% have concerns about employees' personal safety It might seem at odds that employers are concerned about these things, yet 32% don't prioritize them. The message here is clear: if you're concerned about your employees, support is available to help both them and your business. ### What You Can Do Now With all this in mind, it's time to review the support you offer to overseas staff. Take a close look at what's required in each location, and don't be afraid to get expert help. Remember, happy employees aren't just content. They're more productive, more engaged, and more likely to make your assignment a success. So invest in their happiness. It's not just the right thing to do. It's the smart thing to do.