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Seamless global mobility solutions in a changing workforce

Mercer provides comprehensive global mobility solutions across more than 530 locations, from workforce planning and relocation programme management to talent strategy, helping businesses navigate the complexities of designing efficient and transparent compensation packages for your international workforce. 
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27% of mobility professionals believe that it is also high priority to better integrate global mobility in talent management.

The evolving landscape of talent mobility

In an era characterised by rapid change and uncertainty, talent mobility trends and practices are evolving swiftly. Many companies are reassessing their talent mobility strategies.

A key consideration is finding the right balance between managing costs whilst supporting career development and organisational needs. According to Mercer’s 2025 Strategic Mobility Management Survey, high costs continue to be a significant barrier to talent relocation.

To address these challenges, companies are increasingly seeking to replace traditional long-term assignments with more cost-effective alternatives in talent mobility, including: 

  • Long-term assignments

  • Short-term assignments

  • One-way transfers

  • International/ locally hired foreigners

  • Localised or local plus assignments

  • Domestic relocation

  • Business travel

  • Virtual assignments

  • International remote working

Navigating talent mobility in a changing workforce

Talent mobility is an evolving function with many complex factors to consider, such as: 

  • How does talent mobility contribute to employee engagement?
  • How can the mobility function be more strategic?
  • What are the different assignment types and why are there so many? 
  • How will a talent mobility strategy benefit my organisation? 

Mercer’s Talent Mobility expert can partner with you to answer all these critical questions and can support you in developing or improving your talent mobility strategies and more. 

34% of organisation expect overall global talent mobility activity to increase in the next year
Mercer's Mobility outlook spot survey 2024

Unique offerings in integrating data and workforce solutions

Mercer's approach is distinctive as it integrates specialised global mobility data, technology, and advisory services with broader workforce and career solutions. This comprehensive offering allows clients to access speciality consultants across various HR disciplines, enhancing collaboration and innovation throughout the talent spectrum.

Added value, talent insight and analytics

Mercer provides broad talent expertise, combining in-depth knowledge of mobility with insights into talent management, employee engagement and pay transparency. Their extensive ongoing international assignment policy and programme survey database allows clients to measure all aspects of talent mobility effectively.

EU Pay Transparency Directive trusted guidance

Mercer is your trusted partner in navigating the complexities of the EU Pay Transparency Directive, helping you stay compliant with emerging regulations. Our expertise supports you in designing transparent pay structures and implementing best practices for pay equity. With Mercer’s guidance, you can confidently align your mobility programmes with regulatory requirements while maintaining a fair and competitive workforce.
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A holistic total mobility strategy for successful international assignments, integrating business goals with employee needs and compliance. It covers talent management, cost control, risk mitigation, and employee support throughout the assignment lifecycle, emphasising collaboration among HR, finance, legal, and assignees.

For deeper insights into strategic talent mobility

Discover actionable insights and tools for achieving effective alignment between global mobility and your comprehensive talent management strategy.
Visit Mobility Exchange

Comprehensive data solutions

Mercer provides extensive mobility data solutions with global coverage, supporting:
+4,800

International mobility clients

400,000

Mobile employees worldwide

530+

Locations covered

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Mercer Mobility provides extensive data coverage with insights spanning over 530 global locations. This comprehensive data supports informed decision-making for mobility strategies worldwide.

Expert advice for your talent mobility

Companies today are driven to review their international assignment policies for three key reasons: new organisational structures that prioritise customer needs and cost reduction, varying business dynamics globally, and the search for expatriate candidates through regional integration. Mercer’s advisory services can help you manage expatriate and domestic relocation assignments effectively in a competitive, cost-conscious environment.

Mercer's expert consultants offer support in areas such as: 

Effective programmes rely on policies that align business objectives, assignee expectations, and market opportunities. These policies serve as a roadmap, connecting goals with actions. Mercer integrates best practices into your culture, ensuring competitive and responsive mobility programmes that link talent management and rewards.

When developing new programmes or enhancing existing ones, prioritising the assignee experience is essential. Identifying potential challenges and understanding how changes impact the expatriate population ensures a smooth transition.

Three key areas to focus on are:

  • Alignment: Ensure all stakeholders share the same objectives and expectations.
  • Decision-Making: Involve expatriates in the process to reflect their needs and preferences.
  • Implementation: Create a structured plan to minimise disruptions and enhance the expatriate experience.

By addressing these areas, organisations can successfully develop and implement programmes that meet expatriate needs while achieving their goals.

Are you able to demonstrate the effectiveness of your assignee reward and management strategy? How do your policies stack up against your competitors in terms of fairness? Do you have the necessary documentation to secure support from key decision-makers?

By addressing these critical questions, you can ensure your expatriate management practices are not only competitive but also well-supported within your organisation.

Mercer offers tailored solutions to meet your specific needs. If our standard data doesn't fit your policy, we can customise our offerings or develop new solutions, including adjusting methodologies and creating location-specific heat maps.

Want to analyse your programme differently? Our expertise allows us to create custom tools for reporting on assignment costs, allowances, housing, and more. 

Purpose-built talent mobility technology solutions 

Mercer offers a comprehensive suite of cloud-based talent mobility technology solutions designed to help clients effectively manage all aspects of talent mobility through an innovative platform. Our digital mobility software enhances accessibility and digitalisation for mobility teams and their global workforces, catering to organisations of all sizes and complexities, regardless of budget.

With our solutions, you can find the right digital tools to address daily challenges such as compliance management, cost tracking, workflow optimisation, and streamlined communication across your organisation. Experience the benefits of our talent mobility solutions and transform your mobility programmes today!

A cloud-based assignment management software designed for organisations of all sizes to simplify international and domestic talent relocations through:

  • Real-time experience: Configurable data and content tailored to your needs.
  • Streamlined workflows: Enhanced productivity through automation.
  • Cost savings: Reduced operational costs and maximised investments.
  • Risk mitigation: Proactive management of relocation risks.
  • ROI tracking: Clear monitoring of mobility initiatives.

With integrated consulting services, Mercer’s MMP provides exceptional support for your talent mobility strategy. 

Designed to streamline your mobility programmes, our advanced tools provide insights and data-driven strategies to optimise costs and enhance employee experiences. From comprehensive budgeting frameworks to intuitive planning interfaces, make informed decisions that drive efficiency and effectiveness in global talent mobility. 

Designed to help organisations identify potential risks they may be facing in each jurisdiction around the world due to the business travels of their employees and take appropriate steps to avoid them.

Prepare your international assignees for a smooth transition to living and working overseas with our essential cultural training tools and resources:

  • MercerPassport®: A self-service portal with vital country-specific information, also available in our Mobility Management Platform.
  • CultureWizardPassport™: Location-specific online courses tailored for international employees and teams.
  • DEI Online Courses: Self-paced e-learning modules focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
  • Learnflix: A suite of 50 e-learning courses designed to enhance professional skills.

Equip your international assignees for success with our comprehensive training and resources!

Global policy benchmarking

Access the latest mobility policies and practices data to unlock valuable insights and see where you stand with Mercer’s Mobility Benchmarking Assistant. This innovative platform provides organisations with the tools and insights necessary to optimise their mobility programmes, ensuring they remain competitive and keep up to date of the latest trends in a rapidly evolving market.

Stay informed on the latest trends in international assignments and global mobility with Mercer's comprehensive surveys. Our extensive database, built from these surveys, is the industry's most robust resource for global mobility policy benchmarking.

Getting started with Mercer's global talent mobility solutions

Implementing effective talent mobility strategies can improve employee engagement, reduce turnover, enhance skills development, and support organisational agility in a competitive landscape.

Mercer provides comprehensive solutions including  mobility programme design, policy development, strategy benchmarking and technology platforms to facilitate seamless employee transitions across roles and geographies. They also offer regular insight, thought leadership, training and industry reports. 

Mercer offers expertise in international assignment management, compliance, cultural integration and mobility policy development to help organisations manage global workforce movements efficiently.

Common challenges include compliance complexities, cultural differences, cost management and ensuring employee engagement. Mercer’s talent mobility solutions aim to address these issues with tailored strategies and technology.

Mercer’s mobility data encompasses a comprehensive range of global locations, including North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Africa. Our data covers key markets, emerging economies, and regional-specific insights to support organisations in managing international and domestic talent mobility effectively. 

Technology platforms streamline mobility processes, improve data management, and provide analytics to optimise decision-making, ensuring a smooth experience for both employers and employees.

Talent mobility supports flexible workforce arrangements, enables remote work strategies and helps organisations quickly adapt to changing business needs and talent availability.

Yes, Mercer provides guidance on legal, tax and immigration requirements across different regions to ensure compliance and mitigate risks associated with employee mobility.

Contact us by completing the form below and an expert talent mobility consultant will be in touch to discuss your organisation’s needs. We offer customised assessments and strategic planning to develop effective talent mobility programmes.

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Enhance your talent mobility strategy today with objective data-driven insights and trusted technology solutions.