
1. Consider the environment you’re sending them to
- What are the risks that are common to this particular environment; crime, terrorism, natural disasters, civil unrest, conflict or even societal or cultural issues?
- What is the likelihood of an incident occurring, and in this location, what impact would it have?
- Are there operational challenges associated with working here?
- Is there anything out of the ordinary at present that might heighten the risk of working here, be it an election, a period of adverse weather or even global events that might impact the local environment?
2. Are certain employees more liable to threats or risks?
- What are the risks associated with this industry?
- What is the traveller profile; are there factors specific to them that place them in a different risk category for this location, be it gender, race, religion, LGBT status or mobility issues?
- What control measures are already in place for them?
- What is likely to be the local community?s perception of your staff, the company or the industry they work in? And what is the local media or government perception?
Six ways business owners can mitigate risks when sending employees abroad:
1. Develop staff awareness

2. Monitor and pre-empt risk
Many companies sign up to real-time tracking devices so they can immediately establish whether their employees are in the vicinity of an incident. Risk managers should also proactively monitor international, local and social media for developments where their staff are located for a deterioration in the security environment, though it is often easier to sign up to a security assistance platform with an intelligence offering which can identify escalation triggers.3. Secure your work locations
4. Engage in journey management planning
Arrange an accredited local driver for a meet-and-greet and overland moves for employees; in some locations, the use of public transport and travel after dark should be restricted. Familiarising yourself with the operating constraints specific to the location of your staff is an important part of planning; considerations include weather, road conditions, contingency routes, travel restrictions, curfews, and fuel shortages.5. Consider your accommodation options
Understand the risk context of where employees are going and advise staff to select accommodation options in safer areas, preferably in facilities that have been audited or meet an established security, and health and safety standard. Consider not only the surrounding environment or perimeter of the location staff will be staying, but also the physical and procedural security measures protecting it.6. Ensure communications are at a high level


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