Coping with invisibility: Strategies of accompanying partners of global employees

Abstract

While the global mobility of employees is escalating, spouse and family continue to impact on the success of these international appointments. The recent rise of dual career couples (DCC) has intensified the challenges of international relocation. This is particularly relevant at a time when Aotearoa New Zealand is actively seeking skilled and professional migrants. The potential financial and human costs of unsuccessful relocations are high for organizations and for the relocated families. They also pose significant issues for Human Resource Managers. This presentation reviews the career strategies of 21 accompanying male and female partners of professionals and managers who relocated to Aotearoa New Zealand for their partners’ job. Drawing on their narratives about relocation, we explore their responses to the challenges and opportunities they encountered. While most of them had to modify their own career goals on relocation, a small number were able to continue in their previous jobs and work remotely. Only two participants found employment in the company that initiated their partners’ relocation. Others were unable to find employment, or found work that was unpaid, poorly paid, not fulfilling, or part-time. Women experienced challenges that were gender specific. Non-native speakers of English struggled most to find relevant work and their professional qualifications were often not recognised. Analysis of rich and detailed stories of international relocation highlight issues and agendas both for researchers and HRM practitioners in Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond.