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Employee safety while traveling abroad

Many businesses have a foreign exposure, including employees, traveling outside the United States for their business. And while safety is a top priority during international travel, having a resource to help your employees in the event of a security threat is imperative. 

Fortunately, �����’s crisis management partner, Crisis24, combines extensive worldwide expertise with large-scale, on-the-ground capacity to provide rapid and actionable risk management.

What to do in an emergency

Taking steps to reduce risk is essential. However, even the most vigilant of business travelers, from time to time, may find themselves as a victim of a criminal event. Crisis24 encourages employers to educate their employees on taking the following key steps in such cases:

 Kidnapping

 

To reduce the likelihood of coming to harm if you are taken hostage, consider the following:

 

DO	DO NOT
Think positively that you will be released Request basic needs and express thanks for any concessions made to you Be aware of your surroundings and note any noises to help establish where you are being held Eat everything provided, even if it is of poor quality Do physical exercise even if there is limited space	Resist during the abduction Antagonize your captors Provide information that could be used to pressurize your family or employer Believe everything you are told Show any recognition of your abductors

 

Express kidnapping

 

This is where the victim is forced to hand over an immediate cash ‘ransom�� for their safe release - similar to a mugging. In this case:

 

DO	DO NOT
Assume criminals are armed Remain calm and cooperate fully with instructions Look away to indicate you have no intention of trying to identify the criminals Keep your hands in view at all times Agree and ask for instructions if asked to provide the rest of the money shown in your balance at a future time	Resist Start shouting for help Try to escape unless you are absolutely sure you can get away Argue or make provocative comments Make eye contact with the criminals

 

Detention

 

Foreign authorities may detain people out of suspicion or curiosity. If detained for any reason:

 

DO

DO NOT

Remain calm, patient, dignified and professional Explain there has been a misunderstanding and suggest resolving the situation by sensible discussion Ask to contact your national embassy Verify the identification of anybody who arrives claiming to be an embassy representative

Resist arrest, or be abusive or argumentative Try to bribe your way out of the situation Sign anything. If you are pushed to sign a document, politely decline until you have had the document examined and explained to you by a lawyer or embassy representative. Agree to provide any kind of assistance to those detaining you in return for your release. If there is no other option, say you will consider their proposal, if released. Then, contact your embassy for immediate assistance.

 

Hijack/siege

 

In the event you are the victim of an ongoing hijacking or siege, remember to:

 

DO	DO NOT
Remain calm Make yourself as unobtrusive as possible Listen to instructions and be cooperative Identify nearest safety exit and an alternative and memorize your route to them During a long event, request basic needs, especially if you need medication	Make eye contact with or antagonize the hostage takers Do anything to draw attention to yourself Make sudden movements that may startle the hijackers/hostage takers Set yourself up as a hostage leader unless no one else appears capable Try to overpower a hostage taker unless a coordinated operation has been agreed

 

Carjacking

 

Carjacking may be opportunistic or targeted. Some vehicles will be more attractive to carjackers than others. There is no such thing as a ‘safe�� car. If carjacked, then:

 

DO	DO NOT
Obey all instructions given by the carjackers Keep your hands in view so criminals don't think you are reaching for a weapon Answer questions truthfully, especially about the car Express gratitude for any concessions offered Tell the carjackers if you are carrying a phone and suggest turning it off to prevent incoming calls from startling them	Make any sudden movements, or hesitate when told to move Ask questions or make provocative remarks Make eye contact or show any signs of recognition Look at the carjackers�� vehicle

 

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Additional Crisis24 resources

Crisis24 offers additional training to help employees improve their security awareness on topics such as personal safety, security skills for female travelers, emergency first aid, hostile environments, active shooters and more.

Source: The content and recommendations made on this page are from .

The recommendation(s) and contents of this material are provided for informational purposes only and do not purport to address every possible legal obligation, hazard, code violation, loss potential or exception to good practice. It should not be construed as indicating the existence or availability of any insurance coverage. ����� Insurance Company and Citizens Insurance Company of America and their affiliates and subsidiaries specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that compliance with any advice contained herein will make any premises, property or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation.