Learning Activity: Expatriates and Repatriation

Employment insecurity in the United States caused by layoffs and downsizing is experienced by other countries as well. As an HR leader in a multinational corporation, you could be responsible for both expatriate and repatriate employees in many different countries who are concerned about their careers. You realize that most of your expatriates normally have a greater degree of flexibility, autonomy, and independent decision-making while working abroad than their counterparts in the U.S.

• Explain, in one or two paragraphs, how you would address the repatriation of expatriate employees when they may not have a job opportunity, experience difficulty readjusting to the culture, or struggle to learn a new job, after returning to their home country.
• Provide an example and the rationale for your proposed approach to repatriation.