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In this week’s episode of “The Business Immigration Benchmark,” I caught up with Sydney Bridger, SHRM-SCP, WR Immigration’s Community Manager and the driving force behind our Benchmarking Collective. Sydney joined me to preview our Q2 survey: Navigating Global Compliance. With compliance dominating the minds of HR and mobility professionals this year, we talked about how companies are structuring their audits, who owns what in the compliance process, and how even small teams can build smart, sustainable compliance strategies.
For global mobility professionals navigating uncertainty, this episode provides actionable insights into how technology, compliance, and change management are shaping industry priorities.
Key Takeaways:
1. Structuring Compliance: One Step at a Time
Sydney explained how the Q2 survey is designed to help teams break compliance down into manageable pieces. From I-9 and public access file audits to policy reviews and visa expiration tracking, the questions help teams assess where they are—and where they want to go. For newer mobility leaders, this framework can serve as a helpful guide for building out a compliance roadmap.
2. Clarifying Ownership and Communication
A recurring issue Sydney and I both see in our work with clients is unclear ownership over critical processes. For example, F-1 STEM OPT EAD renewals often fall to employees—but do they know that? The survey prompts teams to think through how roles and responsibilities are communicated internally, especially in the wake of staff turnover or program transitions.
3. Benchmarking as a Community Tool
The Benchmarking Collective and its roundtables (both virtual and in-person) continue to be an invaluable resource for mobility professionals. Sydney shared how feedback from the Q1 survey on communication and change management is already shaping team strategies, and she’s seeing huge value in peer conversations—especially for one-person teams looking to learn what’s working for others.
My Parting Thoughts
Compliance can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re juggling a million other responsibilities. But what I love about this episode—and this quarter’s survey—is the focus on taking small, smart steps. Whether you’re auditing for the first time or refining mature processes, this is your opportunity to benchmark, gut-check, and connect with a supportive community.
If you have insights or strategies you’d like to share, feel free to DM me on LinkedIn or submit a question here!
