Forget ROI. Focus on ROH: Return On Humanity.

Forget ROI. Focus on ROH: Return On Humanity.The expatriation human impact.

You’ve secured the visa, the relocation firm, the accommodation, the schooling — the checklist is complete.But the partner of your expatriate is lost in translation.Literally. Socially. Professionally.

In the rush to optimize return on investment (ROI), many companies overlook the Return On Humanity (ROH) — the emotional, social, and practical wellbeing of the family that follows the talent abroad.

Let’s explore why neglecting the human side of expatriation is costly — and how putting people first ensures long-term success.

1. Expatriation isn’t a solo mission

An international assignment impacts the entire family — emotionally, logistically, and socially.

80% of expat partners are women, often leaving behind careers, identities, and social roles.Many arrive in a new country with no job, no network, no language.

According to Permits Foundation, 61% of assignment failures are due to family dissatisfaction.

📌 Expatriation is a professional leap for one — but often a cliff for the other.

Consider Amal Clooney. A brilliant lawyer, human rights advocate, and multilingual professional — yet frequently referred to as “George Clooney’s wife” in headlines. Imagine if she had followed her spouse on an expatriation where her skills were sidelined, her ambitions paused, and her potential overlooked. How many “Amals” are we overlooking in our global mobility strategies?

2. What’s missing from your ROI?

While companies calculate costs and productivity gains, they rarely measure what truly makes or breaks a mission:

• Mental health of the spouse

• Access to integration programs

• Opportunities for autonomy and contribution

When these are missing, here’s what happens:

• Early returns or dropped assignments

• Burnout of the assignee

• A damaged employer brand

ROI suffers because ROH was never measured.

When Barack Obama moved to Chicago to start his political career, Michelle had to adapt. As she once shared, it wasn't his political ambition that challenged her, but the emotional labor she carried during that transition. Support systems matter — not only for celebrities and presidents, but for every family in transition.

3. The power of ROH: Return On Humanity

ROH is about empathy and foresight. It asks:

“How do we help the whole person succeed abroad — not just the employee, but their family too?”

Companies with high ROH:

• Offer language and culture programs to partners

• Build local communities and peer networks

• Facilitate career support and volunteering opportunities

🟢 The result?Partners feel seen.Expatriates perform better.Assignments become more resilient.

Closer to home, consider Anne-Sophie Pic — the only French female chef with three Michelin stars. When she supported her husband's international career moves early on, she had to pause her culinary journey. Years later, she rebuilt her career stronger, bringing French cuisine to a global stage. Talent is resilient — when it’s supported.

4. The invisible talent you forgot to onboard

Spouses are not "plus-ones". They're key players in expatriation.Many are highly skilled, adaptable, and multilingual — but temporarily sidelined.

When included and supported, they:

• Bring value to local communities

• Build bridges across cultures

• Contribute to corporate social initiatives

💡 Absolutely Talented shows just how much untapped potential sits within these "invisible" professionals.

Think of Kristina Persson, former Swedish Minister for Strategic Development. Earlier in her life, she took time away from political ambitions to accompany her diplomat spouse abroad. Later, she returned to national politics with an even broader global perspective. ROH is about preserving this potential — not postponing it indefinitely.

5. What can your company do — today?

✔️ Recognize the partner as part of the assignment package✔️ Integrate partner support into mobility policies✔️ Offer concrete solutions — like Absolutely French's integration journey:

• French courses tailored to expat partners

• Community-building through in-person training

• A proven method combining social, practical and professional integration

📍More about our programs here:in ParisWorldwide

Conclusion: From numbers to narratives

It’s easy to measure cost.It’s harder — but much more powerful — to measure impact.

When you prioritize Return On Humanity, you build more than assignments.You build trust.You build futures.You build global success stories.

Just like when Sheryl Sandberg followed her husband Dave Goldberg on international moves before becoming COO at Facebook — the story wasn’t just about career sacrifice. It was about adaptation, mutual support, and eventually, thriving.

👉 Ready to integrate the human side of mobility?Let’s create your ROH strategy together. Contact us

FAQ

Q: Why focus on the partner if they’re not the employee?Because their well-being directly affects the employee’s performance, retention, and overall success.

Q: What does ROH look like in action?It’s a mix of practical support (language, admin help), emotional support (community), and personal development (career, confidence).

About Absolutely French

Absolutely French is the first French school dedicated exclusively to the integration of expatriate partners through language and culture. Our method blends community, communication, and confidence to turn every expatriation into a success story.

👉 Discover more: www.absolutelyfrench.com