Arriving in France is not always a good experience…
What could be better than a collective intelligence exercise like the World Café to collect the testimonies of these impatriates? In June 2019, Cala Consulting therefore brought together around thirty people of 20 different nationalities.
Their feelings on their arrival in France? If the quality of life, the beauty of the landscapes or the many cultural possibilities are mentioned among the pleasant points, the most difficult for them remains the practical difficulties with the French administration (social security, taxes, etc.) and
their relationship with their French colleagues whom they consider distant. One of them explains: “People are polite but cold, there is a real barrier between professional life and personal life”. Similarly, the French corporate culture is perceived as very hierarchical and above all focused on what is going wrong rather than on what is positive.
Nevertheless, several impatriates offer some ways to adapt. For example, "Don't take it personally," one advises. Or: “invite your colleagues for a coffee, take an interest in French cuisine or wines, find common ground…. ".
Good practices to adopt for French companies
Aware of the assets that these impatriates represent, French companies are now facing a major challenge: to make them feel truly integrated.
How best to welcome these impatriates? This begins with assessing their needs: language learning, cultural adaptation, career support for their life partners... Then, it is essential to provide them with solid support before and during their mission in France, in particular setting clear expectations about their role and providing them with feedback and assistance.
For the impatriates that Cala Consulting has met, this assistance notably involves specific training to learn to live and work in France or the support of a mentor or coach. But it also requires activities outside of work to create a team spirit or the efforts of their French colleagues to speak more slowly 😉 Anything that will allow them, in short, to feel good!
Source : CALA Consulting