How to keep your employees safe working overseas

You don’t need us to tell you that your organization has a duty of care to your employees. But, have you considered the different types of responsibilities that come with how and where they work? Whether they’re working in an office, remotely from home, or overseas, employers need to prepare and plan to ensure employees are entering every scenario with confidence and security. 

We know the importance of travel for corporations, with 90% believing it’s essential to company growth, so we’ve put together a list of considerations to best set you and your team up for successful global mobility. 

Business travelers, relocated employees, and those working overseas on extended stays are possibly at higher risk than your other team members. Let's find out why:

What are the risks of corporate travel?

The unexpected 

You can’t control everything. Spontaneous local events such as political demonstrations, civil unrest, natural disasters, and weather events are all unknown factors that can cause uncertainty and put employees in dangerous situations. 

Legalities 

More than half of business travelers admit to not always following company travel policies. But while traveling, they could be exposed to areas with higher crime rates or face charges themselves if they’re not aware of local law. There could be tax implications for both you and your employees, and they’re also at increased risk of their online security being compromised. 

Health & Safety

A shocking 71% of senior executive travelers have experienced medical issues when on a corporate trip. Employees may have underlying medical conditions that travel stress could trigger, or they could fall unexpectedly ill and need sufficient healthcare while away. In some countries, water, food, and poor sanitation can pose serious risks. Accommodation may lack cleanliness too. 

And then there’s employee gender. Unfortunately, women traveling solo are still at higher risk of being a victim of crime and those who are LGBTQ may be more vulnerable to assault in some countries. 

Mental health 

Employee mental health and wellness are vital in any work environment, but employers should be aware of the added risks that come with traveling. Working overseas puts new pressures on employees as they try to establish their new work/life balance and settle into the unfamiliar environment. 

Studies show expatriates (those living abroad) are more prone to depression than those living at home, with three times as many expatriates feeling trapped, and twice as many feeling anxious.

What steps can companies take to protect their employees overseas?

• Research: 

Possibly the most important step in the relocation/business travel journey. Learn about the area, its safety, if there are any current political debates or high threat alerts, what it has to offer, and if it has everything your employee needs - such as a school for their children to attend. 

Employees spend the majority of their time in their accommodation, so make sure it’s homely, comfortable, and safe by booking with quality checked, clean, and vetted providers. 

Know your employees, their health, their vulnerabilities, and ensure their travel policy and package is tailored to them. 

Keep up to date with changing travel data and put flexible travel arrangements in place.

• Risk assessment: 

Assess and note any occupational health and safety and travel security risks in a risk assessment. These will not only protect your company against lawsuits but provide assurances to your employees that you’re prioritizing their safety. They will feel more comfortable knowing what to do in emergency situations and are more likely to want to continue working and traveling with your company. 

• Insurance: 

Seek professional advice and work with trusted providers, such as global relocation specialists and approved accommodation providers. 

Check the availability of healthcare where your employee is traveling and set them up with appropriate insurance. 

• Prevention

Provide training for employees who lack experience in business traveling, such as younger generations, to help with understanding different customs, social norms, and cultures. Decrease barriers by providing language lessons of the country they’re visiting.

Ensure employees have the necessary vaccinations and advise them to stay away from street food and water that isn’t bottled. Setting them up in accommodation with kitchen facilities reduces food poisoning risks. 

Allowing employees to tailor their journey may encourage them to stick to the company travel policy. Nearly half of travelers want to be able to book themselves, and according to Booking.com, 57% would like to do this on one booking platform. 

• Procedures: 

Preparing for the unexpected isn’t easy, but having corporate travel plans and crisis management procedures in place for such events will reassure your employees and provide them with an appropriate plan to follow if the worst happens. 

Another way to reassure your employees is to provide 24/7 support. This doesn’t have to be from your company, tech tools like centralized travel platforms can offer these guest services.

Corporate travel can be complicated and risky if not carefully planned, but through awareness, preparation, and partnerships with approved providers, you can keep your employees safe wherever they are. After all, safe and secure employees make for happy and productive team members. 

3Sixty

3Sixty is a state-of-the-art marketplace that reduces the noise in extended-stay travel.

Our HomeMatch™ technology leverages machine learning and human expertise to curate quality, cost-effective housing where your employees feel safe, comfortable, and at peace.