Final answer:
Cross-cultural training is critical for international assignees and their families as it improves mentoring abilities, shortens the culture shock phase, supports HR obligations, and reduces the risk of failed assignments.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cross-cultural training is critical for international assignees and their families because it provides several benefits. First, it increases the ability to mentor by enhancing understanding and communication between team members from different cultures. Second, it shortens the culture shock phase, allowing assignees and their families to adapt more quickly to the new environment. Third, it supports HR's duty-of-care obligations by ensuring the well-being and successful integration of international assignees and their families. Lastly, it reduces the risk of failed assignments by equipping individuals with the necessary cultural competence to navigate different work cultures.