We can safely say that business during the last six months has predominately taken place over video. Communicating by video conference has become second nature for many of us, as it is now part of a daily routine and plays an increasing role in our lives. Especially with geographically dispersed teams, video conferences help to nurture relationships and increase employee satisfaction, which leads to productivity and efficiency.

So, here’s a little refresher on video etiquette that ensures participants are respected and each meeting is worthwhile:

Appearance matters – Dress as if you were in the office.  Dressing appropriately is a sign of respect and dressing unprofessionally can be a distraction to colleagues.  Make sure your background is neat so that it doesn’t distract from what you are saying.  It is human nature for people to be curious about their colleagues’ homes.

Be on time – Be respectful of your colleagues’ time.  Time is a precious commodity even working from home, where many of us are working longer hours than we usually do in the office.  Log in a few minutes early, especially if you will be talking to colleagues from other cultures, to allow time to enquire about each other’s well-being.

Check your hardware – Test the video platform before the meeting to make sure your camera, speakers and microphone are working properly.  Make sure your Internet connection is strong and that Internet speeds are fast enough to support a decent level of quality for a video call.  Nothing can bring a meeting to a screeching halt faster than losing Internet connection.

Camera positioning – The camera should be at eye level.  This allows for a more direct engagement.  A camera positioned too low on your body or somewhere else in the room can be distracting.  Natural side lighting is the best.  Too much light can make you appear washed out, and too little leaves your screen too dark for others to see your facial features.

Avoid background distractions – Ideally the room where you work should be quiet and have a door you can close.  If you have children and pets, let the children know that you need privacy and place the pets in another area of the house.  For colleagues speaking different languages, external noise can be disruptive when trying to follow a presentation.

Don’t multitask – While we have all done it, try not work on other tasks during the video meeting.  Remember that your presence is magnified on screen, and it will be more obvious if you are responding to an email, checking your phone, fidgeting or moving around when someone is talking.  Try to just focus on the meeting.

Muting your microphone when you’re not speaking is another best practice.  It’s amazing how much you can hear, when someone in not muted.  While most of these tips are intuitive, a refresher is always welcome.

For a little levity, take a look at this video on video conference etiquette from The English Manner, an etiquette and protocol training institute.  You’re sure to get a chuckle!

In Brunei, which is known for the use of honorifics and titles, one should refer to Dr. David Smith as?

a.  Dr. Smith
b.  The Honorable Dr. Smith
c.  David Smith, the Righteous Doctor of Medicine.
d.  Dr. David

If you have participated in any remote global mobility seminars over the past few months, you have heard corporate mobility professionals discussing the need for policy changes for assignees due to the COVID pandemic. Alternatives to long-term assignments such as short-term stays, one-way transfers, and commuter assignments are gaining attention and have been on the rise as a way to meet global staffing needs. Of the three types of alternative assignments, commuters are growing in popularity.

Commuter assignments are expected to increase further over the next three years based on employee demand and issues surrounding the family. Employee-requested commuter arrangements are on the upswing. They allow for one partner to work abroad without disrupting their partner’s career or schooling for the children.

Currently, companies view commuter assignments as a cost-saving measure.  They can more quickly launch an employee into an assignment as compared to the time it takes to organize a long-term assignment. However, when these two types of assignments are compared side-by-side, commuters may not be necessarily cheaper.  While the salary package for a commuter assignment is leaner and there is no cost of relocation, there is still the cost of the weekly commute, daily living expenses and accommodations in the host location.

The biggest challenge for managing commuter assignments is immigration and tax compliance. International commuters can be exceptionally complex with regard to the liabilities and payroll obligations in both the home and host countries, and perhaps in other locations where they may work during a given period. Engaging professionals with expertise in both tax and social security compliance is a must.

Border closings due to the pandemic have given global mobility professionals time to review policies for this type of assignment. Best practices for compensation and benefits have been shared between companies especially regarding temporary, permanent or self-initiated commuters as this category of assignments will continue to grow.  Most commuters return home once a week with the company picking up the cost of the flight home.  Other benefits that companies provide are temporary housing, medical insurance, travel insurance, and to some extent, a transportation allowance.

In addition, to support the success of the commuter assignment, many companies provide destination information resources and online cultural training that can be accessed at the commuter’s convenience. This is especially important as the commuter has a shorter amount of time in the host office to work effectively. Understanding the cultural work style of the host location will ensure a smoother and more successful transition.  Both destination information and online culture training are cost-effective ways to support your commuters!

Which important law went into effect in Turkey in 1934 and is still in use today?

1. Made Islam the official state religion.
2. Banned the then-latest new technology: television.
3. Mandated that all people have surnames.
4. Outlawed tipping.

Any life transition brings fear of the unknown, and moving ranks high among major life events. The emotional impact of moving home, whether domestically or abroad, is one of the most stressful situations we can experience.  Some find the transition after relocating easier than others.

Here are some steps you can take toward emotional well-being and a positive outcome:

1.  Spend time planning for the move.  Make lists of how you want the move to go, what you need to do before and after, and set intentions for the best possible outcome.  This will prepare you internally for unexpected events during the process.  Also, note who will carry out those tasks and start delegating.

2.  Ask for help.  This is the time to rely on family, friends and even colleagues for support.  It’s important to articulate and discuss any anger, fear, sadness or doubt that you and your family experience.  This is especially important if you are relocating with children.  Set aside some time to include the kids in the planning stages before the move and ask them to verbalize their vision of the new home.

3.  Acknowledge your feelings. Recognize that you will feel sad leaving behind familiar people, places and your home.  Anticipating the inevitable emotions – both positive and negative – can help you manage the challenging ones when they do arise. Take the time to say goodbye to friends and family for closure.

4.  Maintain self-care during stressful times.  Self-care is especially important for women, who tend to handle more details of a move while managing work, children, pets and family members.  Often, self-care takes a back seat to everything that needs to be juggled.  Self-care should be the top priority during this transition for emotional stability for the whole family.

5.  Focus on the present moment.  It’s easy to get distracted and start thinking about the past and what the future will hold.  Try to slow down and focus on the tasks at hand.  Taking a moment to stop and take a break can often reset your thoughts to the present.

It’s important to note that everything valuable – people, experiences, place – are memories that travel with us.  In reality, you are not leaving your friends and neighbors, but extending your friendship group as you meet new people in your new community.

Think about the bigger picture and why the move is important.  Life transitions come with new opportunities to grow as a person.  Focusing on self-care and the benefits of the move will empower you to maintain balance during this transition.

Written by Cathy Heyne, GMS-T, Managing Director