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Industry Trends

CapRelo Insider: November 2025

In Case You Missed It

Mobility issues are dynamic and ever-changing. To stay current, check out these recent articles for timely insights on corporate relocations, employee agreements, and effective talent mobility conversations. Dive into some of our newest and most useful content that you might have missed.

Workforce Automation and Corporate Restructuring: Navigating Global Mobility in an Era of AI and Efficiency Gains

Since the release of ChatGPT in late 2022, U.S. job openings have reportedly declined by almost 30%, while the stock market has risen by more than 70%, according to Fortune. Job openings reached a record 11.5 million in March 2022 and have since decreased to 7.18 million as of August 2025. During the same period, the S&P 500 rose from approximately 3,840 in November 2022 to around 6,688 in September 2025, representing a gain of about 74%. This trend is unprecedented in more than 20 years of JOLTS data. Historically, job openings have tended to follow stock market performance, so the current divergence is a clear anomaly.

From tech companies to retailers, the march toward an increasingly automated workforce is in full swing, a phenomenon CNBC calls “AI-washing.” Amazon is slated to replace hundreds of thousands of U.S. workers in its fulfillment centers with collaborative robots, also known as cobots, according to a report by The Mirror US. Other companies are implementing hiring freezes, conducting white-collar layoffs, and reducing their workforce as a means to increase efficiency and productivity. The move toward investment in AI, increased cloud computing, and automation in warehousing and logistics jobs has impacted labor market trends across all corners of the U.S. economy.

The Impact: For global mobility, all of these trends impact more than just the bottom line—they touch people’s lives. As companies automate, restructure, or shift priorities, employees and their families are often navigating new uncertainties about their futures. Relocation plans may be delayed or paused, and for many, questions about stability, purpose, and belonging are coming to the forefront. Mobility teams are facing a new challenge: supporting employees not just logistically, but emotionally, as they adapt to evolving roles and workplace realities. Whether helping a family through a paused transfer, guiding a team through reduced headcounts, or planning around roles that may change due to automation, empathy and clear communication are more critical than ever.

At CapRelo, we recognize that behind every move is a person, and often a family, making real-life adjustments. For organizations managing reductions or transitions, CapRelo can assist with designing thoughtful departure packages for affected employees as well. In these cases, we work with clients to develop clear, compassionate offboarding strategies that balance dual priorities of controlling costs and genuinely caring for people, whether that means providing relocation support for a returning employee, communicating benefits options to help them on their way or ensuring compliance during the process. We’re here to help companies navigate workforce changes with dignity and consistency, without forgetting about the individuals at the heart of it all.

U.S. Airforwarders Association Signals Continuing Cargo Backlog Risks Even After Shutdown Ended

The Airforwarders Association (AfA) has reported that despite the end of the federal government shutdown, ripple effects are still being felt across the air cargo network. During the shutdown, the TSA, FAA, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection operated with limited resources leading to backlogs and certification delays that will take time to clear. Because of this, disruptions to air freight capacity and timing may remain for a while yet.
Furloughs have ended for key agency employees. This reduces the risk of further collapse in key screening, clearance, and air traffic operations. But AfA and other industry observers warn that the backlog will take time to clear. The FAA noted that certification and flight-capacity delays may continue for weeks. Airlines and cargo carriers remain strained at multiple hubs and some U.S. domestic flights are still being cut as staff catch up.

The Impact: The end of the shutdown doesn’t guarantee that air-cargo shipments (especially for complex moves) won’t still be delayed. Schedule reliability may continue to fluctuate. Mobility leaders should plan for buffer time in case of residual delays. Mobility programs may see increased costs as backlogs lead to higher spot rates and re-routing.

We’re working with providers to prioritize time-sensitive shipments and book earlier than typical lead times. We also embed contingency planning into our relocation timelines, planning for extra days and considering alternative transportation modes.

We also recommend clients review and update relocation policy templates (e.g., allowances, lead-time expectations) to reflect this post-shutdown “stabilization period”. Keep transferees informed with a short update explaining “the system is recovering, but residual delays continue” to build confidence and avoid surprises.

While the government funding crisis is over, the cargo and air-freight infrastructure is still working to recover. Mobility teams must stay alert, plan for possible disruption, and continue proactively communicating.

Tariffs, Taxes, and Talent: How U.S. Policy Shifts Are Reshaping Global Mobility

U.S. policy changes are shaking up how companies move employees internationally. An article published by Corporate Compliance Insights points to three major shifts:

  • The signing of H.R.1 tax reform, a sweeping tax reform act, on July 4, 2025
  • A flurry of tariff activity since April 2025
  • A tightening of U.S. immigration policy, including an increase in the costs of foreign worker visas

Before H.R.1 tax reform, many U.S. multinationals began adjusting their employee mobility strategies by reducing long-term overseas expatriate assignments and increasing short-term assignments. The new provisions in H.R. 1 tax reform, such as overtime pay rules, the SALT cap, EV/child tax credits, and the AMT, are likely to affect some expatriates. Tariffs could improve mobility if trade deals can be reached; lower tariffs might promote easier exporting and repatriation of investments, thus encouraging more inbound assignments to recruit foreign talent. At the same time, easing export and import barriers could motivate U.S. companies to expand overseas, increasing the need for U.S. employees to relocate abroad. Still, cost and tax considerations, such as assignment duration, tax equalization, and benefits, will remain crucial.

The Impact: Tariffs, tax reform, and more restrictive immigration are changing the face of international mobility. H.R. 1 tax reform and U.S. tariff increases could create new opportunities for inbound assignments. They will also push companies to shorten or localize outbound assignments to cut costs. Tax and trade shifts will require more nimble and compliant global mobility programs.

In addition to these shifts, it’s essential to note that tariff activity can have significant cross-border impacts on clients. Tariffs may impact the cost of goods, services, and even housing in certain markets, which will directly affect employees’ cost-of-living expenses on assignment. As changes occur, the need to stay informed becomes even more critical – both for budgeting a mobility program effectively, and for supporting employees in a way that feels fair and competitive.

This is also where CapRelo’s partnership becomes even more valuable. With extensive experience in cost management, we help clients navigate the financial ripple effects of tariffs and tax changes with confidence. By monitoring cost-of-living trends, pinpointing areas of pressure, and identifying opportunities to manage or reduce spend, we help strengthen the mobility strategy overall. Our expertise in managing mobility-related expenses can help clients stay agile, compliant, and cost-effective, even as global conditions continue to shift.

Global Mobility Radar

CapRelo’s Mobility Radar provides valuable insights into trends worth monitoring. This month, we have identified significant global mobility updates in China, the United Kingdom, and the U.S.

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and the Chinese government have announced a mutual one-year waiver of reciprocal vessel-port fees for ships associated with each country’s nationals starting in November 2025. This is part of an agreement to de-escalate maritime trade tensions and open discussions over Chinese ship-building and maritime logistics industry dominance.

The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has increased a range of sponsorship and visa application fees for employers and educational institutions, made effective in October 2025. This move increases the costs associated with expedited service processing and adds to the financial strain for organizations that sponsor foreign national workers and students.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has proposed sweeping new restrictions on green card applicants. Changes include more stringent evaluations of applicants’ use of public benefits and broadening of inadmissibility definitions in immigration policy.