sara presentation november 2008. mambo karibu agenda introduction being an expat repatriation on...
TRANSCRIPT
Introduction
August 2002 – HR Director Vodacom Left alone without family – 14 October 2002 Family joined January 2003 until end of December 2004
Stayed on until March 2006 – “absent assignee”
Returned to SA – April 2006 Joined Engen September 2007
Being an Expat
Attended country briefing – JHB Preparation NB Family & Admin Issues Medical Issues NB – kids Schooling Work permit Visa before leaving Read lots about Tanzania
Being an Expat
Work very challenging – long (12 to 14)hours
Sundays very problematic Searched for a house – 3 bedroom flat – Saturdays
Typical expat area - Oysterbay Wife packing in SA – “frustration”
Being an Expat - Work
Responsible for expats in country – 10 to 15 Setting up of HR function within company Got involved in other areas of business – function of expatriate work Localization NB – Vodacom Set up HR System Medical Aid and Pension Fund introduced 40% locals in Senior Management – April 2006
Repatriation
Prepare psychologically for it Went for Expat Assessment Wasn’t prepared for what I found in SA Everybody has moved on – except “us” Company and I – not prepared at all
Characteristics of making it on assignment
Good support system NB Need your family with you - prerequisite Need to make peace with African environment – Pole Pole Don’t “colonise” Africa with SA ideas Embrace the locals – “they love it” (learn the language) Try to show intent on understanding the local market Will engage with people in government – be prepared for it
What should HR departments do???
Empathies with expatriates around their issues Create conducive environment for expatriates to return to home base -
repatriation Check up on wives on assignment & wives/girlfriends in SA Watch out for “absent” expatriates Take all concerns from locals seriously – investigate and act
immediately Engage proactively with expatriates
Other Side
Expat taxation - prioritised Relocation outsourced – company Expat Assessments introduced for Engen Need to focus on families Work permits NB
Conclusion
Expats – understand why we are sending staff on assignment
Focus on family issues Render proactive support Remuneration – prioritise this aspect for expats and make
it “lucrative”.