RPS FACTS : RESHAPING PERSPECTIVE
NetExpat Team • August 14, 2019

The Relocating Partner Survey is the most comprehensive benchmark survey ever conducted related to the spouses and partners of transferees.
The data from this historical survey provides significant insight on trends happening now and lessons to be learned when implementing new global mobility and talent management policies. Read on to learn more.
Modern couples are highly sensitive to the career opportunities available to their spouse or partner. When it comes to a relocation opportunity, this translates directly to a simple question: What will my employer provide as support for my partner?
The resounding message brought forth from the Relocating Partner Survey is loud and clear: the top reason for refusal of an international assignment is the disruption of the partner's career.
A significant number of employers who participated in the Relocating Partner Survey reported that there was a distinct correlation between offering support to an assignee's partner and an increase in the assignee's performance.
With the top reason for a failed assignment being an unhappy partner, improvement in the overall employee experience can have a huge impact on not only the assignment, but an organization's talent management strategy.
The findings from the 2018 Relocating Partner Survey are helping corporations around the globe benchmark their own global mobility and talent management strategies and understand the trends in today's ever-changing business environment. Interested in learning more? Download the full report today.
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Sam combines a bilingual, multicultural upbringing with deep global mobility experience. Born in Belgium to a British father and Belgian mother, she began her career in education—later moving into consultancy and, in 2003, into international mobility. At NetExpat since 2009, Sam blends operational excellence with advisory insight, working directly with clients and assignees to design people‑centered solutions. She thrives on building trusted relationships across cultures and supporting family wellbeing, partner careers, and sustainable assignments. Her practical, empathetic approach turns complex mobility challenges into positive outcomes for organizations and the people they move.

For nearly a decade, the Relocating Family Support Survey —developed in partnership between NetExpat and EY—has served as the industry’s most comprehensive benchmark on the experience of relocating partners and families. Since its launch in 2018, the survey has captured insights from more than 4,400 participants worldwide, helping organizations understand the realities facing globally mobile families and the policies that most effectively support them. The 2026 edition builds on this foundation with input from over 340 respondents across 50 countries, offering a timely view into how mobility expectations, workforce demographics, and business priorities continue to evolve.

International relocations are a big adjustment for employees, but they can be an even bigger adjustment for their accompanying spouses or partners. This is especially true if they were a part of a dual income household in their country of origin. While organizations often focus on logistical support for the employee, the success of an international assignment hinges equally on the well-being of the entire family. If a relocating partner struggles to integrate, it can have negative impacts on the partner’s state of mind, the couple’s relationship, the employee’s ability to focus on their new role, and both assignment and organizational objectives.

Anu brings over seven years of experience in Learning & Development and Human Resources, shaping her career around helping people grow, adapt, and thrive. Her early passion for psychometrics, talent management, and capability‑building led her into the HR solutions space, where she deepened her expertise in behavioral insights and learning strategy before stepping into her role as Senior Manager, Advisory Services – India at NetExpat. Today, she supports Indian talent navigating global mobility and intercultural transitions, energized by daily conversations with individuals from around the world and inspired by the continuous learning that comes from working with a truly global team.

When it comes to global talent mobility, agility is crucial to an organization’s long-term strategy and competitiveness. With mounting pressure to deliver seamless employee experiences—while managing cost, compliance, and cultural complexity—the question isn’t just what to outsource, but also what to own and automate to stay relevant and scalable over time. This post explores how companies can align operational choices with their internal capacity, cultural context, and long-term goals. The right balance is unique to each organization’s talent and operational needs.

Des brings over 25 years of global mobility expertise, beginning with guiding people through the life-changing decision of buying and selling homes before moving into relocation in 1990. His passion lies in building impactful, human-centered mobility solutions, shaped by personal relocation experiences and lessons in cultural awareness. At NetExpat, he thrives on the intrapreneurial energy of a global team that feels like a “27-year-old start-up,” inspired daily by colleagues’ talent and dedication. Motivated by the chance to create sustainable solutions that truly make a difference for individuals, families, and organizations, Des envisions mobility evolving into a strategic, end-to-end resource that elevates the human experience.

When organizations support mobile employees during an intercultural assignment, they benefit long after those same individuals repatriate. The trouble is, too many businesses don’t see repatriation as a component of the assignment, which can have negative outcomes for both them and the employees they’ve invested in: Without repatriation support, employees face a myriad of challenges, from reverse culture shock and career uncertainty to feeling diminished. Businesses end up paying the price, from employees being disengaged to losing talent altogether. Both have negative impacts on a company’s ROI.










