Worldwide ERC® Research Shows Expansion of Self-Initiated, Short-Term Transfer Programs

Our research shows that these programs have the potential to be beneficial for both employers and employees alike.

As part of our ongoing efforts to ensure that mobility professionals have the tools they need to continue catalyzing transformation in the workplace, Worldwide ERC^® is committed to providing our members with key insights on the issues that matter most to our industry. Building on our existing research examining the impact of remote work on global mobility, we recently released the results of a new study on the increased use of self-initiated, short-term transfer programs. Our latest report, “Self-Initiated, Short-Term Transfers: Volume & Cost,” found that these programs have the potential to be beneficial for both employers and employees alike.  

In surveying 459 chief human resources officers and other key mobility leaders from diverse backgrounds, we found that there has been a significant increase in the number of organizations offering their employees self-initiated, short-term transfer options since 2020. These programs—in which employees request transfers to a new location to work for a short period of time—emphasize employee flexibility and expand on the traditional mobility programs offered by most organizations.

Our study found that, although the number of employees expected to take advantage of self-initiated, short-term transfer options is high compared to participation in traditional mobility programs, the average costs associated are much lower. Additionally, several of the organizations surveyed intend for these programs to be used primarily for talent development and to help employees gain critical experiences. These lower costs and support for key employer objectives, combined with increased flexibility for employees, are key factors in the emerging popularity of these new programs.  

With the volume of such transfers increasing, and the number of organizations offering self-initiated, short-term transfer options growing as well, global mobility professionals are well-equipped to help HR and talent leaders navigate the large-scale implementation of these programs. Their adoption also provides new opportunities for corporate mobility HR specialists as they work to develop the scope of their responsibilities and expand the mobility profession.  

The data within this report supports new and exciting possibilities in the mobility sector, and our members are fully prepared to help HR and talent mobility professionals build on the progress of their own self-initiated, short-term transfer programs. As these programs gain traction in the mobility space—and as further developments in remote work push the bounds of our industry as a whole—Worldwide ERC will continue to track the trends driving global mobility and provide our members the tools they need to stay informed and ahead of the game.