What should you do if things don’t work out?

With the right preparation and good communication, your company will succeed with its international recruitment. So we probably don’t need this page. However, it makes sense to be prepared. 

Concerns about things failing to work out should not deter you from being able to innovate or recruit international expertise. However, being aware of the possible pitfalls can help us to be prepared to deal with a less successful placement in as professional and business-like a manner possible. 

• Culture clashes can occur even with neighbouring countries.
• The initial joy and novelty of coming to a new country and workplace usually wanes after a while.
• The first few months can be compared to a marriage and are often characterized by a honeymoon period and setting up home in a new environment.

Bear in mind that even unsuccessful recruitment provides important lessons for both the person who moved here and your company. It’s important to focus on bringing things to an amicable close so that both employee and employer can move on with good recommendations.

'Admitting to having a problem must never be taboo'

Pia Nyberg, HR Director, Incontinence Care, SCA

"Admitting to having a problem in connection with moving abroad must never be taboo. We understand the difficulties that may arise and it’s important to say-so here and also that we’re aware problems can occur even before a colleague himself mentions it.

What it often boils down to is that the recruit does not feel at home, cannot get a job or the assignments they may have hoped for. Therefore, it’s important to make clear from the outset what a recruit can expect from a foreign placement. Moving is a big deal; we understand that, and that it’s difficult to feel good yourself if someone in your family is unhappy.

In the few cases where there has been a problem, we have enlisted the aid of a local coach to help maintain a dialogue during a transitional period. If we have HR personnel on site, we try to use them; otherwise we seek help from an external coach. SCA has an express ambition for all employees to reach their full potential and to achieve that, it’s essential that they feel good. Moving is a big deal; we understand that, and that it’s difficult to feel good yourself if someone in your family is unhappy. Over the years we’ve developed a structure to help us deal with any problems that may arise and provide support not only for our employees, but also to help their families feel happily at home.

For example, we offer coaching for individuals or whole families and help them to find the right social context. The networks often found at international schools can be a good way of making social contacts. There are usually also various networks for accompanying persons to join to make social contacts in their location.”