Keeping staff safe when they are travelling for work has become an ever important task for companies. GBTA has released research which found that 45% of business travellers view terrorism as their greatest safety risk. Other concerns include street crime, illness and disease and property crime or theft.
Additional research showed that while most travellers believe their company places enough importance on safety, many still feel insecure and worried when abroad. One third complained that when an emergency occurs, or plans go awry, they do not have access to an emergency hotline or out of hours support.
Here are some steps you can take to ease travellers’ mind and fulfil your duty of care obligations.
Travel Information and Preparation
Information is key for travellers. Staff must know and understand the travel risks before they depart. At Beyond Business Travel we have identified five categories of risk: security, political, infrastructure, medical and environmental. We analyse each destination accordingly and work with clients to ensure their team are aware of any potential issues before they depart. We also educate them in emergency procedures and risk policies.
Out of Hours and Emergency Support
Much business travel occurs outside of office hours. In order to encourage peace of mind and make the travel experience as seamless as possible, your staff need support 24/7.
Beyond Business Travel clients have access to our expert team during business hours and an emergency hotline outside of that.
Managing Director Edel Doherty says: “Our clients need to feel supported when they’re on the road and their managers need us to assist them in fulfilling all duty of care obligations.”
“If one of your team is stranded in Dubai, takes ill in North America or has flight delayed Japan, you want them to be looked after and we will step in to do all we can.”
“Through our instant alert system we will inform them of any forthcoming disruptions. Our emergency team will also be on hand to rebook flights, arrange alternative accommodation and take action in any other way you need, as we did recently for Lunns Jewellers.”
Traveller Tracking
As a bare minimum, companies need to know where staff are in the world and how to reach them, should things go wrong. Many TMCs offer a tracking system and Beyond also have a safety and security check-in feature, so those facing disruptions or disaster can mark themselves safe.
Edel adds: “Managers need the peace of mind that their Travel Management Company can immediately pull reports on where travellers are located and step in if needed.”
“This is of particular importance for our clients who operate or regularly conduct business in high-risk destinations.”
Next Steps
For a confidential conversation about how we can help protect and support your staff contact and/or a no obligation quote for travel, contact us via the form below.
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