Why Employee Happiness Is the Secret to Successful Overseas Assignments

Jan de Vries · 2026-07-15

When you send an employee abroad, you're betting on their success. But here's the thing: that success depends on something you might be overlooking. Employee happiness. It's not just a nice-to-have. According to research from Everywhen, 26% of employers worry their overseas employees will be unhappy and want to return home. And 19% fear the assignment will fail entirely. Those numbers should grab your attention. ### The Happiness-Profitability Connection Health and wellbeing support isn't just about being nice. It's smart business. When employees feel supported, they're healthier, happier, and more productive. That means better results for them and for you. Think of it this way: a happy employee is an engaged employee. An engaged employee works harder, solves problems faster, and sticks around longer. That's the kind of return on investment every company wants. ### What Employers Get Wrong Here's the uncomfortable truth: nearly a third of businesses (32%) don't prioritize health and wellbeing for their overseas staff. And only 60% say safety is a top priority. That's a problem. Why? Because when you ignore wellbeing, you risk more than just unhappy employees. You risk failing your duty of care. You risk violating local regulations. And you risk losing the very people you invested time and money to send abroad. ### The Real Risks of Working Abroad Risks vary by country. Some places have high crime rates. Others have poor healthcare infrastructure. Some have extreme weather or political instability. Employers need to be aware of these risks and offer support that fits. That means guidance on traveling alone, emergency protocols, and access to medical care. It's not optional. ### What Employers Actually Prioritize Our research shows a split in priorities: - 47% of employers say fulfilling business objectives is their top priority - 41% say career progression matters most - But only 60% prioritize safety See the disconnect? Companies care about results, but they're not always investing in the foundation that makes those results possible: happy, healthy employees. ### The Support That Works So what should you do? Start with the basics: - Provide comprehensive health insurance that works in the host country - Offer mental health resources, like counseling or stress management programs - Create clear safety protocols and share them with employees - Check in regularly, not just about work, but about how they're feeling - Connect them with local support networks or expat communities ### The Bottom Line Employee happiness isn't a distraction from business goals. It's the engine that drives them. If you're worried about your overseas employees being unhappy or the assignment failing, the answer isn't to push harder. It's to support better. Invest in their health and wellbeing. Watch the results follow. Because at the end of the day, a happy employee is a successful employee. And that's good for everyone.