Delivering duty of care on the road

Strong duty of care practices are key for any business with travelling employees. As an employer, having the right procedures in place maximises the safety of your people and ensures they’re easy to contact if trouble arises. As a traveller, it’s reassuring to know you’re well prepared and have someone to call if there’s an emergency while you’re on the road. 

Duty of care safeguards for your travelling staff include:

1. GETTING THE BEST TRAVEL INSURANCE

Having the right travel insurance policy will give you peace of mind across a range of issues from illness to lost luggage, natural disasters or civil disturbances. An experienced travel manager can analyse your specific risks and recommend the most cost effective plan to cover your employees. 

2. MANDATING BOOKING CHANNELS AND POLICIES

Using designated booking channels administered by a professional travel manager enables you to track the location of your employees quickly in the event of a crisis. Bookings made on independent travel websites decrease the visibility of your employees’ location  and can delay urgent communications if there are problems while they’re away. 

3. TAKING ADVANTAGE OF EXPERT KNOWLEDGE

The availability of transport, accommodation and connectivity can vary greatly in remote and regional areas. If your employees visit out of the way places, a savvy travel manager can help with the most efficient options and advise on potential health and safety risks in certain destinations. 

4. STAYING CONNECTED

The easier it is for employees to stay connected on the road, the easier it will be to make contact in an emergency. Ensure 24/7 connectivity is a priority service for all your travelling staff, wherever they go. Get advice on the equipment and most cost effective services they’ll need to stay connected from the locations they travel to.

5. BEING AWARE OF CULTURAL DIFFERENCES

An expert travel manager can give you up to date information on foreign customs and cultural expectations that could offend your overseas customers or even land your employees in hot water. These can include guidelines on personal conduct, dress and the possession of alcohol or prescription medication.