Living and working abroad

Living and working abroad for a while is an experience from which employees and their families can greatly benefit. The Global Mobility department at ZEISS supports expats worldwide with their assignments.

Networking is becoming increasingly important for ZEISS and so is collaboration across countries and sites. In order to nurture this in the best way possible, ZEISS is offering employees willing to work abroad the scope to do this through its global assignment program with short-term global assignments. “Unlike being locally contracted abroad, the contractual relationship with the home site will continue to exist during an assignment so it is always possible to return to the home country,” explains Beatrix Brauner, Head of Global Mobility. This reassurance is one of the reasons why the number of assignments is growing: in 2024, more than 55 employees were given the opportunity by their specialist departments to move to an international ZEISS site. Expats are united by the urge to keep on developing themselves and step outside their comfort zone. All those who have had this experience at ZEISS regard it as being of benefit afterward. “An assignment is always associated with personal development, but it is also a challenge,” says Brauner. Global Mobility provides expats with the best possible support in terms of preparation, the on-site situation and their return to their home country. “We talk to all those involved, clarify requirements, explain processes and put together a contract package,” explains Brauner. “In addition, we organize intercultural and language training courses, provide specific support to find accommodation, suitable schools and kindergartens, and with relocating – often working with both external agencies and in close collaboration with local HR departments.“

The specialist departments also benefit enormously from the assignments through the transfer of expertise and the international network that the expats build up. “As a company, we think and act globally. This works best if you know the people on site, have a mutual understanding and can gauge the local context,” adds Brauner.