Tear down the walls
Having worked many years within international human resources I have been engaged with many types of organisations. From non/profits to corporate companies, the same barriers for international assignments are discussed as they were 10 years ago: How to cope with repatriation and ensure retention and employee satisfaction? How to support third culture families (TCK) families and combine a global identity with life at home (oops where is home?) . And the best: How to deal with the dead weight trailing along with a mobile employee. Read: accompanying partners. This latter comment from an otherwise considerate and progressive HR colleague was apparently a Freudian slip of the tongue. But it was said and the meaning was there. For what is was worth, it triggered my indignation and sparked my ambition to keep addressing the dual career issue head on. Why are organisations stuck in the same narrative of accompanying partners as an obstacle or someone who needs assistance, support - or at the least a petty allowance? How come suddenly that well educated, skilled and thoughtful men or women end up being categorised as the problem child that needs special attention?It seems that many organisations are stuck in old perceptions of how people today choose to live their lives. The thing is; we are not only men, women, employees, spouses, mothers, fathers or job seekers. A number of us are global professionals who wish to explore and develop and create value to ourselves and others. At times the value is confined to the family and perhaps the smaller environment around a household. At times the value spills over to local communities and initiatives. We work, volunteer, write books and sell health products. We paint Ukrainian Easter eggs, go hiking, take online courses and jump on yoga retreats. And at times we feel like finding solutions that no one has really thought of…A new network. A new story by creating here we are, our ambition is to tear down the assumptions that seem to prevent innovative approaches to the challenges of living a global life. Kick in the walls that hold ourselves and other people back from making the most of the place we are in. Nourish the environments conducive for people to fulfill and reinvent themselves. Have organizations work together to create opportunities and unleash the potential that every person has. The walls include how governments around the world uphold regulations for how foreigners can live and make themselves useful. In some countries volunteering is not even allowed (sic!)Other walls include how expats are segregated into ‘working’ or ‘non-working’ groups. Are you a working woman? Yes. In between. Sometimes. Just not now. Why is it at all important? I am educated and want to stay professional. No matter if I receive a monthly pay check or not. What are your thoughts? Do you see other examples of walls that hinder women and men abroad from living (a professional) life to their fullest? Jannie Aasted Skov-Hansen is a Global HR professional and the founder of here we are.
