The UK has a rich history as a multicultural nation, and this is reflected in the diverse talent found across its workplaces.

In 2024, 68% of UK workers have colleagues from different countries within their immediate teams.

Eighty-five per cent of Brits say they enjoy working with people from different countries. This positively correlates with people’s happiness with their employers.

Nearly three-quarters of those who have co-workers of a different nationality are happy with their employer.

This is compared to 67% of those who don’t have foreign colleagues.

Seven in 10 workers believe that having colleagues from different countries is important for bringing different perspectives.

Workplace culture is also a factor when it comes to an international workforce.

Eighty per cent of people with colleagues of a different nationality say they enjoy the culture in their workplace, compared to 62% of those who don’t have foreign colleagues.

This is echoed by senior business leaders – 64% say that international workers have positively impacted their business’ culture.

For these reasons, 48% of workers say they’d be more likely to accept a job at a company with an international workforce, than one without.

Karoli Hindriks, co-founder and CEO of Jobbatical, says:

“The breadth of talent available to companies recruiting from a global talent pool is huge.

“Taking an international approach to hiring can not only fill vital skills gaps, but it can also help to keep hold of workers who want to work alongside talented, diverse colleagues.”

However, having international colleagues is not always enough.

The post-pandemic shift towards greater flexibility in how and where employees work, along with the rise of the digital nomad movement, has significantly increased the demand for international experience among workers.

Despite this, 23% of UK workers have moved abroad for work but more would like to:

• 42% of UK workers would like to move to another country for work – the highest proportion being younger workers aged between 18 – 24 years old (57%).
• 55% want their employer to offer them the chance to work from a different country for a period of time (often known as a ‘workcation’).
• 57% of UK workers would be willing to relocate for a period of time if asked by an employer.

For employers, adding global mobility into their employment offerings may provide a crucial competitive advantage at a time when companies are struggling to attract and retain the right talent.

Karoli Hindriks added: “Global mobility is increasingly becoming a non-negotiable for many workers.

“Companies that facilitate international opportunities for their teams will reap the benefits through a happier, more engaged and loyal workforce.”