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Learn about Global Support Services (GSS) and overseas employment trends. Explore six international hiring options, including partnering with established organizations and leveraging Harvard entities. Discover resources and contacts for overseas employment at Harvard.
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Overseas Employment Krister Anderson International Program Consultant, Global Support Services krister_anderson@harvard.edu
Agenda • What is Global Support Services (GSS)? • Overseas Employment Trends • Six International Hiring Options • Overseas Employment Resources
Global Support Services (GSS) • University-wide • Dual mission: • Support and enable international projects and travel • Mitigate risks to the University and individuals • 3 teams: • Client Services • International Safety & Security • Harvard Global Research and Support Services, Inc. (“Harvard Global” or “HG”, a separate legal entity)
Overseas Employment Trends • Substantial amount of employment questions (~25% of GSS caseload) • Strong upward trajectory in use of global PEOs
Overseas Employment Options • Frequent travel by U.S.-based staff • Partner with Established Organization • Hire via Harvard Global • Leverage an existing Harvard entity • Contract with a Professional Employer Organization • Engage as an independent contractor
1. Frequent Travel by U.S. Staff • Evaluate program needs and determine if U.S.-based staff is an option. Staff must be a resident of MA and spend less than 6 months overseas. • Pros • Avoids employment complications, still have Harvard affiliation and benefits • Cons • Travel & visa expenses, potential foreign tax liability
2. Partner with Established Org. • Work with a local partner to hire staff. • Pros • Partner handles tax and labor law compliance • Fees typically less than other options • Cons • May not be able to sponsor visas • Little or no control over benefits and no Harvard affiliation
3. Hire via Harvard Global • Harvard Global is an affiliated non-profit based in Cambridge that can employ staff under certain agreements or if it has an established office. • Pros • Harvard University affiliation w/ID and access to Harvard systems • Relatively low cost • Cons • May take awhile and visa sponsorship is limited • Only an option in select countries thus far
4. Leverage Existing Harvard Org. • Harvard has many entities that may be able to employ staff. • Pros • Harvard University affiliation and low admin fee • Cons • Limited availability, widely varying benefits, and limited visa sponsorship
5. Use a PEO • A professional employer organization (PEO) provides employment services, including human resource and payroll services, similar to a temporary staffing agency. • Pros • Widely available and limited risk, since PEO handles tax and labor law compliance • Cons • High admin cost, with little control over benefits • No Harvard University affiliation
6. Use an Independent Contractor • Hire an independent contractor (IC) if permissible under local law. MA law irrelevant though many of the principle overlap with foreign laws. • Pros • Relatively fast implementation, IC responsible for taxes, office space, obtaining visas/work permits • Cons • No Harvard University affiliation • Increasing restrictions on ICs globally and significant penalties for a program/school if the employee is found to be misclassified
Overseas Employment Resources - GSS Website: globalsupport.harvard.edu/manage-projects/staffing • - International Employment Reference Guide on website • - GSS International Program Consultants
Questions? Krister Anderson International Program Consultant for FAS, SEAS, GSE, CADM, Radcliffe, HDS, GSD krister_anderson@harvard.edu Morgan Brown Senior International Program Consultant for HBS, HLS, HMS, HSPH, HSDM morgan_brown@harvard.edu globalsupport.harvard.edu