Impact of War on Expatriates

Being at war on foreign soil may give rise to renewed feelings of personal insecurity and vulnerability. Many people will re-experience the impact of past global events and become symptomatic in response to the current situation.

Expatriates – both American living abroad and people who have relocated to the United States - will be impacted by the unique circumstances of being on foreign soil during this time.

Those expats who could be viewed as sympathetic to the US Government’s position on the war may experience discrimination and alienation from host nationals. Many may feel more isolated from their families at home as they experience strong anti-American sentiment from the host community.

Impact on Individuals

American expats may experience:

  • Sense of feeling disconnected and loneliness as they view the media attention from afar.
  • Sense of isolation – more than ever they will be aware they are leaving their extended family and social support system behind.
  • Sense of guilt at leaving the country.
  • Sense of guilt as they may experience some of the perspectives of the host culture which may be more critical or less sympathetic than the views held back home.
  • Relapse in culture shock and some renewed sense of hostility towards the host culture.
  • Increased confusion about cultural identity as they are torn between the need to assimilate to the host culture and a strong need to assert their personal national identity.
  • Increased concerns about safety for their family on assignment.
  • Increased anxiety about the safety of loved ones back home compounded by the awareness of distance.
  • Feeling torn between wanting to leave the host country or staying to complete the assignment.

Expats Relocated to the United States

Expats who have relocated to the United States may be keenly aware they are away from home and are “strangers” in the USA.

They may experience:

  • Loneliness from extended family at an emotional time
  • Sense of isolation and being closed out from the grieving of their host culture.
  • Anxiety as the US is not the safe haven they had hoped it would be.
  • Recall and recognition of traumatic experiences from their home country.
  • Fear of intolerance and personal attack.
  • Anxiety over expressing their cultural or political beliefs.
  • Increased confusion regarding cultural identity as they are torn between the need to assimilate to the host culture and a need to re-examine their home culture and history.

Impact on Employees

The following employee behaviors might be observed in expats and their families:

  • Decline in performance.
  • Drop in attendance due to a personal need to be with their family, either for personal need or for family members who may be struggling or symptomatic.
  • Heightened emotions – increased irritability, angry or withdrawn behavior in the workplace – particularly with those mourning a personal loss.
  • Reduction in motivation and increased depressive behavior, as the resurfaced grief makes people question the value of daily activities.
  • Emergence of inappropriate behaviors, harassment, labeling and ethnic reference.
  • Difficulty expressing themselves and communicating clearly in the host language.

How Managers Can Support Expats

As a manager it is important to understand that these responses are normal and that they should be temporary. Furthermore, the general emotionality of the threat of war may trigger others who are struggling with unrelated losses or issues into increased emotionality or symptomatic behavior.

You can support expat employees in a number of ways:

  • Be proactive in acknowledging the impact of current world events and validating their emotions.
  • Reinforce that individual reactions will vary from person to person. Promote tolerance of differences and a non-judgemental attitude within the workplace.
  • Do not tolerate political aggression or inappropriateness in the workplace.
  • Promote an inclusive vision of the workplace and of business teams.
  • Provide expat employees with increased opportunity to connect with each other and with their families.
  • Take the emotional impact of current events into account when scheduling deadlines, demanding tasks and travel for expat employees.

If you find that the expat employee is severely symptomatic or remains symptomatic, consult with your EAP provider and consider speaking to your employee about the availability of EAP services.