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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the health-related well-being of public sector expatriates paying particular attention to the family situation. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey was conducted among the entire staff of the German Foreign Service (GFS), resulting in a response rate of 35.5 percent (analytical sample n=1,390). Partnership status, childlessness, and experiences of partnership break-ups were analyzed by gender and by age. Using OLS regression, the authors examine how gender and individual perceptions of conflict between international relocation and family stability and formation contribute to subjective well-being. Findings The results show that females are significantly over-represented among GFS employees who experience partnership instability as well as among single and childless employees. Yet barriers to partnership and family formation appear to be increasing for younger cohorts of male employees. Practical implications Unstable families can jeopardize the well-being of employees highlighting that expatriates’ relationship and family needs are insufficiently met in high mobility contexts. Originality/value The focus on family formation challenges in non-corporate expatriation makes a novel contribution to the literature and practice of expatriate management, as the system-wide rotational staff mobility of public service institutions has received minor attention.

PurposePrevious research indicates that accompanying partners often struggle to find employment upon international relocations. This study aims to highlight diplomat’s partners’ employment situation and to examine how unrealized professional aspirations affect their socio-cultural and psychological adjustment in the foreign environment.Design/methodology/approachThis study applies OLS regression analysis to a sample of 220 partners of German Foreign Service diplomats who were surveyed regarding their locational adjustment, general stress and perceived quality of life using an online questionnaire. This study differentiates between working partners (19.5% of the total sample), non-working partners with a desire to obtain paid employment (65.5%) and partners who are unemployed by choice (15.0%).FindingsThe results demonstrate that partners’ employment situation and employment aspirations are important variables explaining differences in socio-cultural and psychological adjustment. Working partners reveal the highest levels of general stress, non-working partners with an employment desire report the lowest levels of locational adjustment and non-working partners without employment aspirations experience the highest quality of life.Research limitations/implicationsAs this study has a cross-sectional design, the authors are not able to deal with potential issues of reverse causality.Practical implicationsSending organizations should consider accompanying partners' unrealized employment aspirations by providing services with regard to job search and career development. Moreover, they should ensure the provision of services that support the work–life balance of working couples.Originality/valuePrevious research only sparsely examined the adjustment and well-being of partners accompanying foreign service employees, who are in contrast to business expatriates required to relocate every three to five years. Moreover, this study features the crucial role of partners' employment situation and discusses possibilities to promote spousal employment, as well as complementary measures to improve work–life balance for dual-earner couples.