Mobility: International Remote Working and Virtual Assignments Survey Report

Is remote working an advisable or necessary short-term response to the pandemic or a longer-term option for global talent sourcing?

During the COVID-19 crisis, many employees have been forced to work from home, and managing a remote workforce has become a priority for companies. The globally mobile workforce has been equally affected by this new development. The 2021 Mercer International Remote Working and Virtual Assignments Survey was conducted between the end of January and early March 2021 and aims to understand how multinational companies are handling international remote working and virtual international assignments.

Report highlights

• More than three-quarters of all respondents report supporting IRW and/or VA.
• Close to 20% of companies have already developed specific guidelines (12%) or an addendum to an existing policy (7%).
• More than 60% of participating companies cite bringing jobs to people and expanding the talent pool as key actual or expected advantages of introducing virtual assignments or international remote working.
• Four in ten companies indicate that their remuneration approaches for virtual assignees are identical to those for local employees in the same physical location.