3 vital things to consider when employees work abroad

International assignments are a great way to drive business and develop employees, but there are some very serious things to consider.

Unfortunately the world we live is becoming more dangerous and so the need for risk management and emergency response is increasing. Furthermore, it is no longer exclusive to the traditional sectors, such as Oil & Gas, but now a much broader range of businesses.

And so, Dr Tim Hammond, Chief Medical Officer at CEGA, and Stuart Barnett, Head of Intelligence at Solace Global, have compiled three things businesses should consider when sending employees to work abroad...

1. Terrorism

“In recent years, we’ve seen growing political instability in Libya, Syria, Egypt, Turkey and beyond creating fertile ground for civil unrest and extremist groups - Islamic State among them. We’ve seen continuing fallout from the World Trade Centre attacks causing volatility, conflict, kidnapping and terrorism in Afghanistan and Iraq. And, as individuals become more widely prepared to kill themselves for their cause, we’ve seen the threat of terrorism draw closer to UK shores.

“Several once-safe employee destinations have been relegated to the Foreign Office list of high-risk places to visit: joining other traditionally risky areas in North Africa, the Middle East, the Mediterranean and Pakistan.

“In today’s climate of greater accountability, employees increasingly expect their employers to assess all the risks before they set off abroad. And, as they move with ease from one side of the world to the other, they expect a corresponding ease in access to high-quality medical and security support.”