Cost of Living Allowance: A Guide for HR Teams Managing Global Mobility
When relocating employees internationally as part of your global mobility programme, a Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) plays a key role in maintaining their financial well-being. But what exactly is it, and how should HR teams approach it?
A Cost of Living Allowance is designed to bridge the gap between an employee’s home country living costs and those in the host country. Without it, international assignments can become financially unviable for employees, leading to reluctance or dissatisfaction. But how do you calculate it fairly? What factors should you consider beyond the basic cost of goods and services?