New research from global consulting firm Mercer has found increasing diversification in the types of global assignments companies are sending staff on.

The firm puts this down to companies needing to respond to evolving business needs and changing patterns in the global workforce.

Mercer’s survey of 831 multinational companies, which collectively employ about 29m people, found over half (56%) plan to increase use of short-term assignments.

Other findings include:

• 54% plan permanent transfers over the coming year

• 50% plan developmental and training assignments

• 47% plan to take on locally hired foreigners

• 44% expect an increase of the more traditional long-term assignments

The study also found an increased number of companies (85%, up from 81% in 2012) have international assignment policies in place.

Some companies (64%, up from 57%) had multiple policies in place to reflect different types of assignments.

Anne Rossier-Renaud, principal in Mercer’s global mobility business, said in a statement the increased use of short-term assignments, “companies are bypassing some of the major obstacles to mobility”.

“Employees on these assignments are less likely to bring the family along, allowing the spouse to continue working in the home country and saving the company the cost of relocation.”

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