Western HR in eastern Europe - An epidemic of acquisitions in emerging markets has meant that growing numbers of personnel and HR practitioners in UK-based companies are being asked to travel to central and eastern Europe to deal with people-management issues. . To gain an overview of the main HR challenges for western managers in these societies, IRS Employment Trends interviewed a panel of managers and consultants who have experience in managing human resource assignments in the Czech Republic and Poland. . Expert tips cover crucial issues including language barriers, national cultures, employment regulation, workforce restructuring, top-down management, employment discrimination and the speed of change.