Global Workforce Mobility 2 day Conference

Overview

Course duration: 2 days.

This course is run in partnership with JSB.

With the growth of migrant workers in the UK and the need to source and retain key talent, implementing overseas recruitment strategies now plays a key role within the global HR function. When recruiting into the UK it is essential for HR to be aware of the new immigration rules and regulations to avoid costly legal sanctions. Understanding the culture and integration issues, which arise when employing overseas workers, as well as the applicable tax and social security regimes, is certainly a must for companies wanting to stay ahead in this emerging market.

International growth also creates more opportunities for employees to work abroad and an increasing number of employees are engaging in international assignments and global client projects. Managing global reward and benefit packages and responding to local jurisdictional requirements can be a challenging process - HR not only need to stay legally compliant in these areas but also ensure that organisational working practices are both efficient and cost-effective to ensure maximum business potential.

JSB’s ‘Global Workforce Mobility’ conference covers all the ‘need to know’ areas for HR professionals wanting to overcome the operational challenges presented when managing a global workforce. If you recruit people from abroad or send employees on international assignments we have designed a unique conference with flexible booking options to suit your individual business requirements.

Is it right for me?

The conference is suitable for:

• HR professionals
• Workforce mobility specialists
• Global resourcing Managers
• Benefit and reward professionals
• Employment law advisers
• International assignment officers
• Line managers
• Employee relations professionals
• Integration specialists

What will I learn?

‘Employing Overseas Workers’ conference day 1 highlights include:

• A round up of the new ‘points-based’ immigration system and practical advice for managing a home office investigation
• Best practice case studies on international HR recruitment strategies and addressing culture and integration issues.
• Getting to grips with the new ‘non-dom’ legislation and gaining practical advice on tax and social security planning

'Managing International Assignments’ conference day 2 highlights include:

• The legal status of international assignees and issues surrounding the termination of employment contracts
• Real life expat experiences and how to manage the reward and HR planning processes of global assignments 
• Implementing a cost-effective tax and social security regime for international assignees

What will it cover?

Day one 24th July, London ‘Employing Overseas Workers in the UK’

09.30 The new UK immigration system: Key changes and developments

Jonathan Chaimovic, Consultant, Clyde&Co LLP

• The Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006: Legal background and reasoning behind the overhaul
• Understanding the new ‘points based’ system: Current grounds for entry and the position of highly skilled migrants
• The introduction of civil penalties and the implications for employers
• Establishing an ‘excuse’ under the new regime: ’List A’ and ‘List B’ and ensuring checks and procedures are in line with discrimination law 
• Considering employer duties: Work permits, ‘sponsoring’ and ensuring legal compliance

10.30 Implementing a global recruitment strategy

Nick Tripp, Director of Resourcing Reward and Recognition, Save the Children Anna Acland, Global Resourcing Manager, Save the Children

• Identifying target markets and selecting companies and regions to fulfil recruitment objectives
• Standardising selection criteria and recruitment procedures internationally 
• Considering management strategies and practical advice for HR
• Developing the talent of a culturally diverse workforce
• Retaining overseas workers in the UK: What are the key issues?

11.15 Coffee

11.30 Tax and social security: Ensuring a compliant and cost effective regime for overseas workers in the UK

Michael Rooney, Senior Manager, People Services, KPMG

• The new ‘non-dom’ legislation 2008: Claiming remittance status, PAYE and potential implications for employers
• Global Mobility Policies - Putting the correct assignment framework in place 
• Short term business visitors and seconded employees: When does UK tax law apply?
• Tax duty relief and overseas workers relief
• Structuring effective tax planning assignments
• Understanding social security agreements and practical advice for ensuring legal compliance

12.30 Lunch

13.30 Case Study: Managing a cross-cultural workforce at Gate Gourmet   Vikki Woodison, Head of HR Operations, UK & Ireland, Gate Gourmet

• Integrating overseas nationals into UK working culture
• Dealing with practical issues such as language barriers and employment regulations
• Developing cultural awareness and creating successful management and leadership styles
• Ensuring employee engagement and motivation across a culturally diverse workforce
• Embedding a culture of continuous improvement across the whole workforce

14.15 Preparing for and managing a Home Office investigation   Andrew Osborne, Partner and Head of Immigration, Hammonds

• What checks do employers need to make to confirm the rights of employees to work in the UK?
• What inspection powers and rights of entry do the Border and Immigration Agency have?
• Tactics and strategies for dealing with a Home Office visit and investigation
• Handling appeals against Home Office decisions and civil penalties

15.00 Coffee

15.15 Addressing the practical challenges of servicing UK inbounds at BG Group

Susie Inwood, International Assignments Manager, BG Group

Michelle Giddings, Global Mobility Advisor, BG Group

• What are the main HR issues which arise when dealing with inbound employees?
• What HR processes apply pre-arrival? Familiarisation visits, expat training and housing policies
• Benefit plans, tax considerations and family allowances
• Managing intra-company transfers effectively

16.00 Panel Session: Ask our expert panel about the immigration, tax, employment and people management challenges of employing overseas workers in the UK

Jonathan Chaimovic, Consultant, Clyde & Co LLP Vikki Woodison, Head of HR Operations, UK & Ireland, Gate Gourmet Michael Rooney, Senior Manager, People Services, KPMG Nick Tripp, Director of Resourcing Reward and Recognition, Save the Children Andrew Osborne, Partner and Head of Immigration, Hammonds

Day 2   25 July 2008, London ‘Managing International Assignments’

09.30 International assignments: A global assignee perspective   Annelyse Fournier, HR Lead Manufacturing Europe & Africa, Monsanto

• How is the landscape for expatriate staff changing?
• What are the main cultural and workplace challenges facing an employee on international assignment?
• Practical advice for facilitating international careers and relocating the employee’s family
• Drawing upon HR experiences: The importance of international reward strategies and aligning benefits across global locations
• Managing expatriate staff whilst undergoing company restructuring and change processes 

10.30 Understanding the statutory rights of international assignees and contractual obligations for employers

Michael Bradshaw, Partner, Charles Russell 

• The rights of UK employees overseas: Key issues on jurisdiction and applicable law
• The contract of employment: Managing terms and conditions, mobility clauses and 'dual contracts' 
• Practical advice on EEA based assignments and immigration  

11.15 Coffee

11.30 Tax and internationally mobile employees: What are the potential risks?

Clive Fathers, Partner, Employer Solutions, Grant Thornton Alex Simpson, Senior Manger, Employer Solutions, Grant Thornton

• Cross border tax planning: Residency status, double taxation and tax equalisation
• What are the tax implications of long and short-term international assignments for employers?
• Getting to grips with host country tax regimes: Top tips for ensuring mobility around the EMEA area
• Understanding international social security agreements and local customs
• Practical advice for HR: Policy reviews and keeping in tune with legislative developments

12.30 Lunch

13.30 Developing a global workforce and international HR strategies at Interserve Facilities Management   Steve Thomas, HR Director, Interserve Facilities Management 

• The business case for creating global workforce and international mobility structures
• Which HR processes and practices apply pre-assignment? 
• Developing staff and improving flexibility through international assignments
• Managing the end process: Repatriation or localisation?  

14.15 Managing objective based global assignments within Brown Forman Beverages, Europe, Ltd   Kim Miller, HR Director, International, Brown-Forman Beverages, Europe, Ltd

• Practical advice for immigration planning and transferring talent across global locations
• Considering the needs of the employee: Relocation visits, health cover and family allowances
• Tracking mobility of global assignees and keeping in touch
• Effective cost management and continued development of international HR strategies

15.00 Coffee

15.15 Terminating international assignments and ensuring legal compliance   Gary Freer, Partner, McGrigors

• Returning home: Employee rights and tricky issues such as redundancy and redeployment 
• Realigning the contract of employment and deciding which benefits should remain in force
• Terminating the contract whilst on assignment: Practical advice for meeting procedural requirements and avoiding litigation in both jurisdictions
• Enforcing restrictive covenants and garden leave on termination and the cross border difficulties, which arise

16.00 Panel Session: Ask our expert panel about the employment, reward, tax and social security issues which arise when managing international assignments

Michael Bradshaw, Partner, Charles Russell Alex Simpson, Senior Manger, Employer Solutions, Grant Thornton Steve Thomas, HR Director, Interserve Facilities Management Kim Miller, HR Director, International, Brown-Forman Beverages, Europe, Ltd Gary Freer, Partner, McGrigors

16.30 Chair’s closing remarks and end of conference