Follow our step-by-step guide to meeting and exceeding obligations of duty of care to your employees

THE WORLD is a small place when it comes to business in the 21st century and companies of all sizes are sending their staff to less familiar and sometimes unstable countries and regions.

“Although the chances of being kidnapped, hijacked, or victimized in a serious crime may be statistically small, nonetheless the danger is real,” says David Hill, security executive at global personal security agency red24.

Consequently, organisations must ensure they take care of employees when they engage in business activities abroad, protecting not only the travellers but the company as well. Follow David’s advice on how best to protect your employees.

STEP 1: Be proactive in creating an understanding of the relevant cultural norms, bureaucratic process and security risks within the destination country. Your travel management company, a host of specialist cross-cultural organizations such as the Centre for International Briefing, and security specialists such as red24, can provide such information. Armed with this knowledge, proper precautions can be taken.

STEP 2: Check the safety records of the airline you propose to book. Once again, your security expert and/or TMC can advise you on this.

STEP 3: Investigate the location of the hotel you choose. Be aware that financial districts are often deserted at night and on the weekends and that, as a result, it may be wiser to book accommodation in a busier location or further out in a residential suburb. Also, establish what security measures are in place at a chosen hotel before making a reservation there.

STEP 4: Book a room between the third and sixth floors and away from the main stairs, lifts and fire escapes. Ground, first and second floor rooms are more accessible to thieves and afford ease of escape, as do rooms close to exits. Floors above the sixth floor introduce different hazards, particularly in less developed countries, as fire brigades many not be equipped to reach rooms at such heights. Avoid rooms near the front of the hotel and main streets as terror attacks often target the lobby or foyer of the building.

STEP 5: Put procedures in place for business travellers to furnish co-workers and/or relatives with their full itinerary prior to departure. If you have a TMC on board this will be undertaken automatically within the company. In emergency situations, it means that at least the basic information can be provided to a central office or to the appropriate government agency in case of an emergency. Most of the larger TMCs have peopletracking services that can alert companies to the whereabouts of any travelling employees.

STEP 6: Train employees to be alert and aware of their surroundings at all times. For example, ensure employees plan their routes to meetings ahead of time and carry a practical map. Remind employees to trust their instincts – if they feel uneasy or threatened, leave that area as soon as possible. Preparing employees and training them to maintain situational awareness and practice simple personal protection measures will minimise the risks they face, enhance their safety and improve their ability to focus on their business goals.

STEP 7: Consider employing a security company that can respond to incidents on your company’s behalf, talking an employee through a crisis or, if necessary, extracting them from any dangerous situation or incident.

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