b'COVER STORYPANDEMICRESPONSEBy Matthew BradfordHow relocation managementcompanies copedwith the outbreak ofan unprecedentedglobal pandemicT he COVID-19 pandemic hasWhat was the scope of yourWhat steps have you taken presented relocation manage- active relocations at the start ofto ensure the safety of those ment companies (RMCs) withthis pandemic? on assignment?one of the most unique and time-sensitive challenges in theJoe Cardini: We support a large,Cardini: Many active assignees have industrys history.global assignment employee populationbeen repatriated, and those that have in Asia, Latin and South America, Northremained in the country and on assign-Perspectives recently spoke to three industryAmerica and Europe. ment have largely been supported by professionals to learn how supply part- their respective company health and ners are answering the call: Joe Cardini,Vicki Lander: We are a global reloca- safety programs. That said, we contacted president, Bristol Global Mobility; Vickition management company serving aour entire relocating employee popu-Lander, executive vice president, Clientlarge number of clients from our officeslation to find out if they needed any Services, Weichert Workforce Mobility;worldwide. When the pandemic started,additional assistance. and John OConnell senior vice president,we had somewhere in the neighbourhood Global Supply Chain, SIRVA Worldwideof 6,500 assignees in every corner ofVery quickly, we identified a number Relocation & Moving.the world.of logistical requirements that required All three took time out of their busyJohn OConnell: We had thou- immediate attention, such as extensions of schedules to share insight on the extra- sands of active assignments when thetemporary living arrangements and exten-ordinary impact the COVID-19 outbreakpandemic began. While a good portionsions to the storage of household goods is having on their work and their clients.of this activity occurred in well-knowndue to not having a delivery address. While the situation is constantly evolvingexpatriate destinations (i.e., the U.K.,Additionally, some have experienced and changing, here are their thoughts onthe U.S., Germany, Brazil and India), wechallenges with obtaining required local the consequences of this global crisis atmove people to almost every country indocumentation specific to their residency the time of writing. the world. and immigration status. 12PERSPECTIVES Summer 2020'