Posted on Friday, July 04 2025
Global mobility: Also known as ‘employee relocation’, employee mobility took a bit of a hit in 2020 with the pandemic, but is now recovering.
However, the pandemic also changed what work looks like for many people: Remote and hybrid work models are now much more common, and everyone’s increasing comfort levels with virtual meetings means that business travel for short-term assignments and relocation for longer terms have changed significantly.
So what does global mobility look like right now?
Hybrid work models mean more short-term assignments
While more organizations are embracing remote work, many still appreciate the need for teams to be physically together, especially when setting up new locations or tackling a specific project. So we’re seeing more short-term (typically less than 12 months) assignments rather than full employee relocations.
More concerns about political instability
The past couple of years have seen rising tensions in several parts of the world: “With escalating tensions in Southeast Asia, the war between Ukraine and Russia in Europe, the ongoing Middle East conflict and the increasing threat of terrorism and piracy in the Red Sea disrupting supply chains, there are countless examples of how essential travel poses a risk to personnel,” according to Relocate Magazine last month.
Global mobility specialists are putting more of an emphasis on health and safety for their assignees, and ensuring that they have the information they need to either protect themselves from local risks or to be able to evacuate in the event of a crisis.
Housing alternatives, especially in major cities
There’s a greater recognition that even within the same country, housing affordability can vary widely and can shift within a short period of time. Additionally, the rental market in larger cities can be expensive and difficult to navigate.
As more organizations shift to shorter-term assignments, they are turning to managed corporate housing solutions to provide accommodation for their employees. This delivers better choice, while controlling costs, and doesn’t leave the employee to have to figure out the details of housing in their new location.
Increased focus on sustainability
The rise in short-term assignments can also be credited to employees’ desire for more sustainable work models. “Many of our senior employees have expressed a desire to fly less,” says one of our clients. “Not because they hate flying, but because they’ve become more concerned about the environmental impact of 4 or more flights per week.”
Again, this is where short-term assignments have seen a rise in popularity: Instead of having to fly back and forth every single week, employees are opting for extended-stay accommodation like corporate housing to allow them to cut the total number of flights they have to take. “If they can stay close to their temporary workplace and can walk to and from the office, they really appreciate that,” says the same client.
Less interest in the US, more in Canada and the UK
There is definitely an increased concern with border crossing for anyone traveling to or from the United States, given the rise in detainment or deportation for anyone who is not a US citizen or is a part of a visible minority. This is contributing to a reluctance to travel to the US for both business and pleasure travelers.
A recent study from Ipsos indicated that while 25% of relocating employees still wanted to go to the United States, that was down from 30% less than a decade ago, and Canada, Switzerland and the United Kingdom are at almost 20%, a significant uptick.
Younger top talent wants to travel
Organizations that want to attract and retain the top performing Millennials and Gen Zs say that offering travel opportunities is crucial. These employees appreciate flexibility and respond well to hybrid work models, but they also appreciate the value of business travel opportunities. 83% of HR execs say that when ‘travel’ is added to job postings, they get better applicants.
What to expect for the rest of 2025
Experts say we should continue to see an increased focus on safety and wellbeing, as well as continued interest in short-term assignments to bridge the gap between remote work and long-term relocation.
Corporate housing is a great fit for global mobility
With more than 1500 furnished suites, homes and townhomes, plus a network of more than 10,000 properties across Canada, we have a property perfect for you and your global mobility requirements. Get in touch to learn more about how we can help you find the right one for you.
assignments relocation short-term assignments global mobility