Welcome to Mobility Minute, a newsletter published every Friday byWorldwide ERC®for the benefit of members and the global mobility and relocation industry. Here’s a quick glimpse of what you’ll find in this week’s issue:
Three Key Mobility Issues Highlighted at EuRA Dublin 2023
The Role Pay Transparency Plays in the Global Workforce
The SECURE E-Notarization Act and H-2B Workforce Coalition
Note: If you receive Mobility Minute weekly, please forward this issue to colleagues in the workforce mobility industry. If this was shared with you, click hereto subscribe and gain access to the archives.
Three Key Mobility Issues Highlighted at EuRA Dublin 2023
This week, Lynn Shotwell, president and CEO of Worldwide ERC®, attended and spoke at the 2023 EuRA International Relocation Congress in Dublin, Ireland. The event marked EuRA’s 25th anniversary, and Shotwell was proud to be a part of the celebration for our industry partner that, as outgoing EuRA Executive Group President Michele Bramstoft said, brings together “the people who move the people who move the world.”
The conference sessions brought to the forefront three key issues that are challenging our industry today: housing, sustainability, and relocation.
The Role Pay Transparency Plays in the Global Workforce
There is a trend toward increased transparency in salary policies, with governments passing laws and companies becoming more open about their pay practices. This is partly due to compliance challenges and competition in the job market, as well as the rise of remote work. Many employees in the U.S. still keep their pay secret, but this is slowly changing.
Why is this important?
Knowing the salary range of a job before applying can save job-seekers time and effort, especially those in lower-paying jobs. Despite concerns about its impact on productivity and morale, studies suggest that pay transparency can motivate employees to put in more effort. Pay transparency can also benefit an organization’s DEI initiatives, and it may be worth considering implementing a pay transparency policy.
The SECURE E-Notarization Act and H-2B Workforce Coalition
Senators have introduced the SECURE E-Notarization Act in the U.S. Senate, which aims to establish minimum standards for remote and electronic signatures and notarizations of documents, and require states and federal courts to recognize e-signatures and e-notarizations conducted in other states. This follows similar legislation introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives, which was passed in February. The bill could offer greater flexibility for transferees in completing home sale transactions, and Worldwide ERC® is a member of the coalition leading the effort for its passage.
Why is this important?
The H-2B Workforce Coalition, which includes Worldwide ERC, has sent a letter to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees calling for greater flexibility with the H-2B visa, including an H-2B returning worker exemption or other relief from the annual H-2B cap in the FY 2024 Appropriations Bill for the Department of Homeland Security. The H-2B is vital for employers with peak seasons who rely on foreign workers to meet the higher demand for their services.
Foundation for Workforce Mobility Regional Group Scholarship Partnership Program — Applications are due to the Foundation on 30 April. View full scholarship program details.
Corporate Relocation Council of Chicago (CRC) CRP Exam Review Class — On 9 May, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT in Chicago, learn from and study with mobility experts. Learn more and register.
Comment Period for Appraisal USPAP Revisions — Public comments are being accepted by the Appraisal Foundation on draft revisions to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). The USPAP supports the operations and practices of the appraisal industry, and the fifth exposure draft includes several significant changes, including the addition of a new nondiscrimination component to the ethics section and revisions to numerous industry definitions used in the industry. Members are encouraged to submit commentsprior to the deadline of 29 April. Learn more.
Global Economic Snapshot
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s election as Brazil’s president is a critical moment for Latin America, as he is the region’s most visible leader and only diplomatic heavyweight. His prominence could raise the region’s profile and advance goals like climate change and food security. Lula’s recent visits to major capitals demonstrate his ambitious agenda. — Americas Quarterly
Morgan Stanley predicts that Asia’s economic growth will surpass that of the U.S. and Europe this year, thanks to strong domestic demand in China, India, Indonesia, and Japan. Experts note that China’s reopening and supportive fiscal and monetary policies are fueling a rebound, with the region’s growth expected to outperform by 500 basis points by the end of the year. — Reuters
According to surveys by S&P Global, business activity in the U.S., Eurozone, and U.K. rose in April to the fastest pace in a year, driven by demand for services, which may complicate efforts by central banks to lower high inflation. Despite this boost to the global economy, central banks in the U.S. and Europe have signaled that they will continue to raise interest rates until inflation eases. — The Wall Street Journal
As pandemic-related supply issues begin to ease, importers and exporters now face the challenge of tracking and minimizing the carbon emissions produced during the shipping process. Many major companies, such as Apple and Amazon, are aiming for carbon neutrality or net-zero emissions by certain deadlines, reflecting how supply chains are factoring into ESG strategies. — Bloomberg
According to a survey of global travel managers and executives by Deloitte, corporate travel spending could rebound to 2019 levels by late 2024, although the entire travel spending pie may still be 10% to 20% smaller due to inflation.
In a survey conducted by Deloitte, 71% of the 106 U.S.-based respondents indicated that they anticipate companies will return to 2019 travel spending levels by the end of 2024. In comparison, 68% of the 228 European respondents said they believe business travel could recover to pre-pandemic levels by the end of next year.
Deloitte reports that as travel volumes increase, travel managers are not only grappling with high prices but also facing challenging negotiations with suppliers. In addition, those planning business trips are increasingly considering the importance of sustainability and reducing carbon footprints.
Worldwide ERC®, 2001 K Street NW, 3rd Floor North, Washington, DC 20006, United States, 1-703-842-3400
