Are your travelers safe in a mass shooting?

Businesses have increasingly large numbers of employees traveling for work. While many employers understand the responsibilities that encompass the topic, they do not provide adequate plans and assistance in the event of a natural disaster, civil unrest or medical emergency. Recent tragedies in Orlando, Brussels, and Paris, considered seemingly safe cities, have reminded us of just that.

When it comes to business travel, a company is responsible for the health, safety and security of its employees from both a moral and legal perspective. People are one of the most valuable assets a company has, and they should feel protected at all times when they travel on behalf of their employer.

Organizations must show quick thinking and increased security measures to ease travelers growing concerns of safety and security.  It is very important for businesses to: have a plan, communicate that plan to their employees, have the ability to track their travelers, as well as inform affected travelers in a timely manner.

Travel management companies provide very useful tools to help companies carry out and manage their policies. This gives them the ability to flag potential issues, track travelers, and communicate with them in a timely manner, as well as supply information before and during their trip, helping companies fufill their Duty of Care to their employees.  

When traveling, companies should stay up to date on current risks around the globe. Our partner, International SOS, has developed a suite of services designed to proactively manage travel risks. Employing tools and technology to automate pre-trip preparation and situation monitoring, as well as having a robust, documented and enforced travel risk mitigation process makes this manageable for companies. These services cover everything from medical risks, vaccinations, disease risk, personal safety, terrorism, road accidents, to civil unrest & conflict. Moreover, in the event of a terrorist attack or a mass shooting, they are able to deploy emergency extractions and successfully remove your travelers from the affected areas. 

International SOS has also developed a Travel Risk Map comprised of current threats posed to travelers comprised of factors such as: political violence, social unrest, crime, endemic diseases, environmental risk, security conditions, and the quality and availability of healthcare within the country. This is a great tool for frequent travelers to stay updated on any potential risks.