Translating HR Abroad

NACUBO is pleased to announce the launch of the International Resource Center. The IRC, a resource for colleges and universities engaged in a broad range of international activities, provides a framework for the key areas for which institutions must be aware when conducting activities abroad. Examples include collaborating with a foreign institution, sending students to a foreign location, or establishing an office in another country. Site content is organized by commonly found functional areas of a university, such as cash management, finance, human resources, legal, reporting and compliance, research compliance, and risk management.

The online resource is a collaboration among NACUBO, High Street Partners, Association of Academic Health Centers, Consortium of Universities for Global Health, University Risk Management & Insurance Association, and five business partners: CIGNA; Huron Consulting Group; Marsh Inc.; Wells Fargo; and Whiteford, Taylor & Preston.

“Universities have struggled for years to find helpful sources of information about how to support and solve issues that result from international programs and activities,” notes Bob Lammey, director of higher education at High Street Partners, and former director of global business compliance at Harvard University. “The IRC provides college administrators and support personnel valuable insights and information about conducting activities abroad.”

Several sections highlight specific HR concerns:

• Expatriates or third-country nationals (TCNs) working abroad
• Hiring independent contractors abroad
• Hiring local employees abroad
• Terminating employees abroad

These sections provide guidance on tax residence laws and tax treaties in the foreign countries where employees are working, the implications of classifying a hired worker as an independent contractor versus an employee, requirements for employment contracts when hiring local employees as well as compliance with local insurance and pension regulations, and appropriate steps to follow when terminating an employee abroad.

Other key features of the IRC include:

Support on the home campus. This area is dedicated to sharing common practices used by colleges and universities to support international activities on the home campus, recognizing that institutions are at varying stages of development. The intent is to provide readers with a high-level understanding of the infrastructure necessary on a home campus when engaging in these activities.

Country profiles. As institutions pursue international activities, many questions arise regarding how to operate within a particular country. The IRC contains profiles on more than 30 countries and provides background information on these countries as well as guidance on banking, business etiquette, embassy locations and registration, employment (legal requirements), entry and exit requirements, intellectual property, registration of a business entity, safety and crime, and taxes.

Resources and tools. A primary objective of creating the IRC was to have a consolidated Web-based resource where institutions can share ideas and practices. The site contains sample templates, tools, white papers, presentations, and articles contributed by colleges and universities and higher education associations. The intent is to continue to build this area to develop diverse and robust resources for users.

IRC discussion group. In gathering input from member institutions for developing the IRC, keen interest was expressed for finding out “who is doing what where” and being able to exchange experiences about conducting activities in a particular country. The “IRC Group” will provide such a forum with a link from the IRC to NACUBO’s discussion group page.

For more information, visit the IRC at http://irc.nacubo.org, or contact Nancy Maguire.

Nancy Maguire is a consultant to NACUBO; e-mail: nancy.maguire@nacubo.org.