In an uncertain world­­, traveling can feel like a big risk.

From medical emergencies to terrorist attacks, the challenges that occurwhile traveling are vast. When you are responsible forprotecting your employees and team when they travel, the risks canfeel even more ominous.

Even the most minor gaps in security can be considerednegligence.

In fact, many countries have Duty ofCare legislation, and your organization could incurpenalties for not protecting your travelers up to legalstandards.

However, there are some proactive ways to mitigate the risks,reduce the stress and protect your team while they are away fromhome. Keep reading to learn six ways your company can protectemployees when they travel on the company dime.

Educating employees on different types of travel and safetyrisks is recommended. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Provide education and training

Education programs could include online or e-learning courses ondifferent types of general travel and safety risks. To take it astep further, you may want to provide details on specific points oftravel, medical risks and security issues.

Checking the news to be aware of any political unrest,natural disasters, weather conditions or military activities canhelp your employees take preventative measures when traveling oravoiding certain regions while abroad. (Photo:Shutterstock)

Research destinations

Doing some digging on your team's travel destination can provideways to make preventative decisions, particularly for individualneeds. For example, if someone on your team has asthma, researchingthe air quality at the destination would be helpful to prevent amedical issue that could develop.

Checking the news to be aware of any political unrest, naturaldisasters, weather conditions or military activities can help youremployees take preventative measures when traveling or avoidingcertain regions while abroad. Making employees aware of culturaldifferences, language barriers or even something as simple as whichside of the road to drive or bike on, can help manage risk.

The free U.S. STEP program provides travelers with severalbenefits. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Enroll with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program(STEP)

STEP is a freeservice which enables U.S. citizens and nationals travelinginternationally to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassyor Consulate wherever they are traveling. The STEP programprovides travelers with several benefits, including:

• Important information about conditions at the traveler'sdestination;
• Helps the U.S. Embassy contact travelers in an emergency;and
• Allows family and friends to contact travelers in anemergency.

Make sure everyone in the business is prepared for a crisisand understands their roles, should a disaster occur. (Photo:Shutterstock)

Create a crisis management plan and regularly updateand test it

It's critical to ensure that everyone in the business isprepared for a crisis and understands their roles, should adisaster occur. Even the most minor gaps in communication can leadto disaster.

Many businesses have begun to use tracking apps orgeolocation-based systems, such as Global WarningSystems, to quickly census individuals in a geolocation. Largerscale employers may have the ability to send text warnings orcheck-ins to employees that opt-in to share their locations.

Business travel policies should be communicated company-wideto all relevant employees. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Review travel policies

Business owners should review their company's travel policiesand ensure they include specific safety and security concerns.These policies should be openly communicated company-wide to allrelevant employees.

Seek out a travel insurance program that covers crisissituations, evacuations, terrorism, kidnap and ransom andmore. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Provide travel insurance

Businesses can include an insurance program for travelers thatcovers not only major risks but also smaller, more frequent safetyand security upsets (e.g., baggage loss). It should include medicalas well as specific security coverage, preferably with anexperienced insurance company and 24/7 assistance service. Seek outa program that covers crisis situations, evacuations, terrorism,kidnap and ransom and more.

Implementing travel policies, researching destinations andeducating your organization are just some of the many ways tomitigate the risks of traveling abroad. By being as prepared inadvance as possible from creating a robust crisis management planto implementing procedures both during and before your team'stravels, and working with an insurance program who has acomprehensive plan suited for your business, you are sure to feelat ease when sending your team abroad.

Justin Tysdal is CEO and co-founder ofSevenCorners. Tysdal oversees Seven Corners' risk analysiscost assessments, workflow processes, budgetary controls and membersatisfaction initiatives.

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