Global commuters increase in number

Increasing numbers of British workers are being posted globally on temporary assignments, which means their work-life balance now straddles two locations.

This further insight into the way Brits are undertaking global commuting comes from the fourth annual NatWest International Personal Banking (IPB) Quality of Life Index, which reveals 84% of what it terms ‘global workers’ who accept this type of work pattern can fast-track up the career ladder, as well as benefit from an improved lifestyle.
 
NatWest International says there are currently around three quarters of a million British workers travelling overseas to work abroad each year. The ratio of temporary to permanent workers is currently five to one, but this is expected to rise to 10 to one by 2020. The increased use of temporary global workers means that the traditional definition of expatriation is blurring as Britain engages in a global market of “brain exchange,” says the Bank. “Countries are progressively sharing their talent rather than keeping hold of it, a phenomenon fuelled by global expat commuters.”

Whilst the advantages are many, including career advancement, diversity of experiences, exposure to different cultures and good work/leisure balance, the disadvantages include an uncertain sense of belonging, increased stress due to upheaval, and the hassles of red tape and bureaucracy.

Dave Isley, Head of Personal Banking, comments, “The growth of the global worker has brought with it an opportunity to share knowledge and experience around the world. The great brain exchange is a fantastic concept of other economies temporarily sharing the strengths of British workers.
 
“Due to advances in travel and telecommunications, it is now much easier for international operations to run via daily phone calls, e-mail, and video conferencing. It has opened the door to sending young, talented, professionals abroad, while being supervised and coached by their managers in the UK.”

www.natwestinternational.com