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In today’s fast-evolving world and increasingly global workplace, employee wellbeing has become a key driver of success. And the context of international assignments is not an exception. As companies strive to support their mobile workforce, integrating sustainability initiatives into the relocation journey can serve as a powerful tool for enhancing assignee wellbeing, driving engagement, and fostering a deeper connection between employees and their new environments.
The Role of Sustainability in Assignee Wellbeing
Relocating to a new country can be both exciting and challenging. Feelings of isolation, stress, and uncertainty are common, especially in the early stages of an international assignment. Organizations that support sustainable living practices into the relocation experience offer their employees a valuable opportunity to ground themselves and connect with their surroundings in meaningful ways. Sustainability activities – such as reducing waste, choosing public transport, shopping local, or participating in environmental community efforts, encourage assignees to live more consciously, helping the assignees to gain a greater sense of belonging and strengthen local understanding and ties. Moreover, a company’s visible commitment to sustainability sends a strong message: We care about more than just business. And when assignees are empowered to participate in or even lead sustainability efforts, they often feel more connected to the company’s mission and more engaged in their roles. This holds true for younger generations in particular.
Creating a Culture of Sustainable Empowerment
To fully realize these benefits, companies must do more than simply provide options – they must actively cultivate a culture of sustainability. This means embedding eco-conscious values into onboarding, training, and daily work life. When employees understand the context, opportunities, and limitations of sustainable living, they are better equipped to take meaningful action. More importantly, when sustainability becomes a shared value rather than an optional add-on, employees are more likely to internalize these practices and they might move from passive participants to active influencers. This is where the concept of the Sustainability Ambassador becomes vital. A Sustainability Ambassador is a voice or a champion of sustainable change within their workplace, community, and beyond. These individuals try to lead by example, incorporating eco-friendly practices into their daily routines, inspire their colleagues and simply bridge the corporate goals with local, actionable practices. In the context of global mobility, Sustainability Ambassadors are often assignees themselves.
“When people go to work, they shouldn’t have to leave their hearts at home.”
— Betty Bender, Inspirational Writer
Empowering individuals to make a positive environmental and social impact, helps many of them to thrive. All these traits – feeling of being valued, motivated, and empowered – are essential to personal wellbeing and professional performance. But the impact goes even further. Each Sustainability Ambassador has the potential to influence dozens of others. And the Global Mobility industry, through its unique position at the intersection of people and places, has the potential to generate thousands of Sustainability Ambassadors each year – each one making a difference, both personally and globally.
By aligning sustainability with employee wellbeing and global mobility, companies unlock a powerful synergy: one that drives performance, nurtures community, and helps build a more sustainable world—one assignee at a time.
Image credits:
1. Photo by Vincent Eisfeld on Unsplash
2.Photo by gaspar zaldo on Unsplash
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