European Virtual Huddle: When Compliance Gets Real

The first European Virtual Huddle of 2026 landed at exactly the right moment. With EU Posted Worker audits ramping up, Pay Transparency deadlines looming, and new border systems reshaping business travel, our members had plenty to discuss—and discuss they did.

The Audit That Changed the Conversation

We kicked off with a corporate update that immediately set the tone. A member shared their recent experience with an EU Posted Worker Directive inspection in a country known for particularly strict enforcement (they couldn't say which, but if you know, you know!)—only a couple of days' notice, extensive documentation requests, and the kind of scrutiny that keeps GM professionals awake at night.

The immediate contrast? Another member's recent experience in a Nordic country where the audit was considerably lighter. Same Directive, completely different enforcement approach. The fundamental challenge of EU Posted Worker compliance laid bare: each country interprets and implements the rules differently, making consistent compliance across Europe genuinely complex.

The discussion that followed revealed practical insights about what triggers audits, how much preparation time you can realistically expect, and critically, where your compliance approach needs to extend beyond just the GM team. (Hint: if you think authorities only audit your documentation, think again...)

Business Travellers: The Strategic Opportunity Hiding in Plain Sight

Perhaps unsurprisingly after the corporate update, the breakout session became dominated by Posted Worker compliance. But the conversation quickly evolved to the population driving much of the concern: business travellers.

With traditional assignment volumes declining, business travellers have emerged as both the biggest challenge and the biggest opportunity for GM teams. What came through encouragingly? Many attendees are approaching this proactively rather than reactively.

The group explored how GM teams can demonstrate value by solving a real business problem that's not being managed properly elsewhere—using the experience, vendor relationships, and compliance expertise already sitting within mobility functions. Remote workers fell into exactly the same category.

These live conversations go deeper than any blog can describe, but let's just say the discussion went well beyond "track your travellers and hope for the best."

The Truth Nobody Wants to Say Out Loud

One of the most refreshing moments came when the group acknowledged what many are reluctant to admit: 100% compliance is unrealistic, perhaps even impossible.

The pragmatic approach discussed was far more useful than chasing perfection—assess your data, identify blind spots and highest-risk areas, and overlay this with your organisation's risk appetite. The group also tackled what happens when different compliance areas pull in opposite directions (employment law versus corporate tax, anyone?), and how GM ends up stuck in the middle finding workable solutions.

As one participant noted, this is where GM professionals really are unsung superheroes—navigating competing requirements and keeping the business compliant even when the rules themselves seem contradictory.

The Restructure Reality

The second corporate update shared how one GM function has evolved over six years, with the latest change splitting the team between Shared Services and Talent. It's a familiar pattern—GM teams being reorganised as organisations grapple with where mobility fits strategically.

The breakout discussion naturally linked back to earlier themes: as assignment volumes decrease and GM's remit expands, teams face pressure to demonstrate strategic value whilst managing growing populations—often with the same resources or less.

The challenge isn't just proving GM's worth; it's doing so whilst simultaneously expanding scope, navigating increased compliance complexity, and adapting to new organisational structures. No wonder the strategic transformation many predicted hasn't materialised as quickly as hoped.

What Made This Huddle Work

The beauty of the virtual Huddle format is its flexibility and senior, peer-driven nature. We didn't labour through predetermined presentations—the conversation went where members needed it to go, which meant deep into compliance because that's what's keeping people busy right now.

The corporate updates provided genuine, on-the-ground experiences rather than polished case studies. The breakout discussions allowed for honest sharing of challenges, practical problem-solving, and those "me too" moments that remind you you're not alone.

Most importantly, attendees left with practical perspectives they can apply immediately—not definitive answers (because let's be honest, those rarely exist in our world), but insights from peers navigating the same messy, complex reality.

Looking Ahead

As we move further into 2026, these themes will only intensify. But here's the thing: you don't have to figure it out alone. The collective wisdom in sessions like this—the real experiences, the pragmatic approaches, the safe space, the honest acknowledgment of what's actually achievable—is where the value lives.

Missed this Virtual Huddle? We've got more events coming! Because this is where compliance gets real, where peer problem-solving happens, and where you discover you're not the only one struggling to make sense of competing requirements whilst simultaneously proving your strategic worth.

Interested in joining our next Huddle? Get in touch to learn more about Expat Academy membership and upcoming events.