What are the best practices for ensuring employee safety during business travel to high crime areas?

Before engaging on any risky trip, always ensure due diligence is done, ensure the destination can provide safety for your well being and any emergency cover..in all if you must embark on such journey. be careful

After risk assessments, considering crime rates and political stability, develop a detailed travel policy outlining safety protocols. Provide pre-travel training emphasizing situational awareness, local customs, and emergency procedures. Establish local contacts, implement a robust communication plan, and ensure comprehensive travel insurance. Consider security escorts, choose secure accommodations, and encourage employees to gather local knowledge. Develop a detailed emergency response plan, leverage technology for safety, and register employees with consular services. Contd....

. As a previous Health and Safety and \risk assessment officer, where possible I went to the destinations to assess the nature and level of risk and how it could be avoided. When it wasn't possible to do an actual visit, I got in contact with the relevant personnel and asked for their current and up-to-date risk assessment and analysis. This provided me with the necessary information that I needed. Employees should be informed about the risks and how to avoid them including local customs and cultural norms that can affect safety as well as the safe areas to stay in. This should be done by the Risk assessment officer who will inform them of the safe areas, reputable accommodations, and safe modes of transportation through meetings held.

Provide Travel Insurance and check that the relevant documentation and vaccines are in order. As a travel planner, I make sure that before I even research the trip, my client has obtained the necessary documentation for their destination. If they are missing anything I guide them to the relevant website. I also recommend that they have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, accidents, and other unforeseen events that may occur during business or any other travel to high-crime areas. This will give employees peace of mind knowing that they are covered in case of an emergency. Provide them with a safety kit that may include items such as a first aid kit, a flashlight, a whistle, a map, a phone charger, and a personal alarm.

Before their departure, a meeting must be held that will give the employees information that was collected by the risk assessment officer and details of what to do if they need emergency support should they get into trouble. Make sure that employees have a contact person available should they get into any kind of emergency. Have a crisis management plan in place that outlines the steps to be taken. This should include contact information for local authorities and emergency services and have a contact person who will always be available. Employees should also be informed about the plan and what they need to do in case of an emergency.

Regularly check in with employees while on their trip. Keep open lines of communication so that employees can report any concerns or problems and make sure you know their whereabouts. Keep them updated with any changes or development that involves their security or any travel arrangements. Also before departure have a quick briefing and encourage them to report any concerns and situations, problems, or incidents that they encounter, promptly.

On their return have a follow-up meeting to collect their feedback and suggestions. This can be incorporated into your health and Safety risk assessment policies for future travels. Furthermore, any problems can be addressed so that you move forward with best practices for you and your team. By incorporating these practices into employee safety measures, you as an employer can further mitigate the risks associated with business travel to high-crime areas and ensure the well-being of your employees, showing them your sincerity and commitment to them.

In addtion: Develop a comprehensive travel policy that addresses safety protocols for high-risk areas. Provide pre-travel training to employees, including information on local customs, emergency contacts, and safety precautions. Utilize travel management platforms that provide real-time information on travel risks. Choose secure hotels and accommodations in safe neighborhoods. Arrange secure transportation options for employees and discourage the use of public transportation in high-risk areas. Instruct employees to avoid known high-risk areas and provide them with information on safe routes and neighborhoods. Ensure regular check-ins and that employees have comprehensive travel insurance.

One thing that has worked for my colleagues and I is to travel in pairs or groups. When traveling to high-risk areas, it is not good to go it alone. Even when performing routine tasks like grabbing a cup of coffee, you should grab a buddy to accompany you. Also, do regular check-ins with someone at the location thoughout the day and with your family just to ease any concerns.

Unless certain levels of risk come with the job description (military, police, certain types of journalism, etc.), just don't risk the wellbeing of your employess. If you can avoid the trip, just don't put them into a risky environment.

At AFCC, I engaged clients in their homes, often discussing mortgages and managing collections dealing with assets like jewelry or financed vacuum cleaners. This was often done in high crime areas. In a critical moment, a distressed client brandished her vacuum threateningly. Through effective communication and negotiation, I diffused the situation, established a payment plan, created a positive customer relationship and generated referrals in this community. This incident highlighted communication's vital role, emphasized relationship building, communication skills training for unexpected scenarios, and the value of local community engagement and integrating conflict resolution training. Unfortunately 90s were absent of such programs. ??

Ensuring employee safety during business travel to high crime areas is paramount. Firstly, provide comprehensive pre-travel safety briefings, including information on local risks, emergency procedures, and contact points for assistance. Encourage employees to remain vigilant, avoid risky areas, and adhere to company travel policies, such as using approved transportation and accommodations. Lastly, establish regular check-ins during their trip to maintain communication and offer support, prioritizing their well-being throughout their journey.