For years, our international semiconductor client struggled with an unwieldy and overly complex suite of mobility policies. While a basic core/flex framework had been put in place, their global mobility (GloMo) team faced polarizing demands from different business units and global regions, resulting in benefit inequities, inconsistent employee experiences, and 38 policies for their mobile population of over 2,000 people.
Our client needed greater consistency, efficiency, and clarity for the mobility program to reach its full potential with an elevated mobile employee experience. As their mobility partner, they leaned on Weichert to help transform their program into a streamlined, cost-effective, and talent-focused powerhouse aligned with the organization’s broader growth objectives. Here’s how we did it—together we made work happen!
Transforming a Mobility Framework
You must listen to understand. So, our client embarked on a comprehensive listening tour, connecting with stakeholders to uncover the root causes of their program constraints. This first but essential step took time and patience, and throughout, their team remained committed to the end goal of a stronger, more streamlined program with a focus on “structured flexibility.”
Working within the Weichert Advisory Studio®, our Advisory experts helped our client draft a new mobility framework, integrating stakeholder and customer feedback with input from the GloMo team, infusing a deep understanding of the culture and feedback from our own team working directly with the client and their mobile employees.
Our client’s unique and newly developed framework features focused core and expanded flexible elements that vary based on the move category and talent, akin to the job role and business need, with consideration for domestic vs. international moves. The concept was to provide non-negotiable core components at each talent/move category as a matter of duty of care. For the flexible portion, the benefits depend primarily on job level. To enhance oversight of the benefits chosen by employees, they adopted a use-it-or-lose-it approach, eliminating the option to cash out unused benefits.
“This client took deliberate, thoughtful steps to build an employee-first mobility program that truly reflects their culture. While many companies feel pressure to move quickly, this client chose to get it right, not just fast. Through a close, collaborative partnership, we provided strategic guidance, shared data-driven insights, and created the space to co-design a program that balances business goals with employee experience. The result? A people-centered program built to last.”
Jennifer Connell, VP Advisory & Consulting Services
An Issue of Inequity
The company also aimed to preserve flexibility for employees in higher-cost locations without losing sight of local practices. Cost modeling demonstrated a wide range of costs that could be perceived as creating inequities.
To overcome unintended hardships or potential inequities and manage costs, the client piloted the program within specific business segments to test the service level, customer experience, and cost impact.
Weichert monitored the program and provided data back to the client on a quarterly basis. With guidance from our service delivery teams and Advisory experts, many practical adjustments have been made to further meet the needs of their distributed workforce. Following the success of this deliberate, mindful strategy, the company extended the pilot program to all business units.
The Bottom Line
Our client’s transformation journey showcases the power of strategic planning, collaboration, and adaptability. In an increasingly competitive global talent market, their commitment to partnering with suppliers, listening, and acting upon feedback will drive long-term success for their business and people.
“The pilot launched in Spring 2024, and after a year of measured results, the client expanded it to all business units. Change takes time, and it’s crucial to evaluate impact across both duration and volume. That’s where the expert guidance through our Studio® can actively support clients in turning thoughtful change into lasting success.”
Laura Levenson, Advisory Practice Leader
The Weichert Advisory Studio® helped this client tackle speed bumps in their previous program to drive improvements in customer experience and operational efficiency, delivering a solution aligned with talent goals and team needs! To learn how we can transform your program, go here.
Discover how we helped our client reinvigorate their approach to lump sum mobility, ensuring their program remained supportive, competitive, and cost-effective.
Whether it’s due to greater access to information or increasingly erratic weather patterns, one thing is clear: natural disasters are becoming more frequent and more visible, dominating our news feeds with stories of hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes that leave devastation in their wake.
In 2024 alone, nearly 11 million Americans were temporarily displaced by natural disasters, and that’s just within the U.S. Globally, typhoons, wildfires, and extreme flooding have impacted communities from the Philippines to Spain and Canada. These catastrophic events not only disrupt lives but also create serious challenges for businesses, especially those managing mobile talent.
When disaster strikes, unprepared mobility teams often find themselves scrambling to ensure the safety and well-being of relocating employees. While many companies have established emergency preparedness plans—including employee tracking and immediate outreach—the support needs don’t end there. Employees may require alternate accommodations, additional resources, or extended support if their residences are damaged or uninhabitable.
Here’s Where a Well-Equipped Mobility Team Can Help
A well-prepared mobility team is essential in managing both the immediate and long-term effects of natural disasters. These teams are often the first point of contact for mobile employees, providing reassurance and critical support. During the recent storms in Houston, our partners at Weichert Corporate Housing exemplified this role with proactive, compassionate action.
As the storms hit, they quickly identified impacted employees, reaching out to ask vital questions: Are you safe? Do you have power and water? Is your residence damaged? For those unable to remain in their homes, they swiftly arranged alternate accommodations. Daily updates gave clients full visibility into the status of their mobile population.
WCH’s quick thinking and empathy reflected positively on the client, demonstrating that they had a trusted partner equipped to respond to a crisis, protect their people, and pivot as needed. From a business perspective, keeping talent safe and comfortable during a disaster also helps minimize disruption and reduce lost productivity. Good for your people, good for your bottom line!
“Timely communication during a natural disaster is critical to ensuring transferee safety and minimizing distress. Clear, concise updates help maintain trust and provide essential guidance when uncertainty is at its peak.”
Mark Pooley, SVP Weichert Corporate Housing
Beyond Immediate Needs
Here’s the thing: responding to a disaster by meeting the immediate needs of mobile employees is only half the battle. The aftershocks, both practical and emotional, can linger long after the event itself. From the mental health toll of trauma to the burden of navigating insurance claims and recovery logistics, employees often face weeks or even months of disruption.
Employers must remain flexible, accommodating, and supportive as individuals work to regain a sense of normalcy. Long-term housing may be scarce, household goods shipments may be delayed due to infrastructure issues, and personal belongings may need replacing.
In these moments, overcommunication is everything. Regular, clear updates help employees stay grounded, and internal stakeholders stay aligned. Sharing information before, during, and after an event reduces surprises, ensures timely support, and ultimately reinforces your company’s commitment to its people, which is key to retaining top talent in the long run.
“Overcommunication isn’t just helpful—it’s a lifeline.”
Mark Pooley, SVP Weichert Corporate Housing
The unthinkable may be unavoidable, but how you prepare and respond can make all the difference. Supporting employees through disasters and times of uncertainty isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s a powerful way to demonstrate your commitment to their safety and well-being. And in return, you earn lasting loyalty, retain key talent, and strengthen your position as an employer of choice. Now that’s a plan worth having!
With immigration policies in flux and political shifts and post-election changes unfolding, cross-border mobility is bringing fresh challenges for HR and mobility teams.
The immigration landscape remains challenging for those managing mobility within companies, as compliance checks and audits are on the rise, with higher stakes for even minor slip-ups.
