With the festive season fast approaching, organisations worldwide are gearing up for increased employee travel and festive gatherings. While this time of year is filled with excitement and celebration, it’s essential for employers to remain focused on prioritising the safety and wellbeing of their global workforce.
Managing Risks During the Festive Season
Whether it’s managing the complexities of international travel, ensuring employees are protected during company events, or providing support in case of emergencies, organisations must take proactive steps to mitigate risks and ensure a safe and joyful holiday season for all.
The holiday season often brings a unique set of travel considerations and challenges, especially when it comes to safeguarding the safety and wellbeing of a diverse workforce. Along with the festive excitement, perennial risks such as extreme weather events, heightened criminal activities, and other security concerns can pose significant threats to employee travel.
Identifying and Addressing Seasonal Risks
Organisations must be proactive in addressing these risks, ensuring that employees are well-prepared, informed, and supported throughout their journeys to prevent disruptions and ensure their safety.
Risks such as scams, pickpocketing, and stolen passports are more prevalent during the holiday season due to the increase in travel and crowded settings. These risks are heightened during festive gatherings, Christmas markets, and religious services. Recent studies show a troubling rise in serious crowd-related incidents, with mass gatherings leading to injuries or fatalities. In fact, the past two decades have seen a significant increase in such accidents globally.
Notably, religious festivals have overtaken sporting events as the most likely settings to result in crowd crushes, as highlighted in one recent study. Furthermore, the ongoing escalation in the conflict between Israel and Hamas this year has raised concerns about isolated acts of violence at places of worship and other religious gatherings, adding an additional layer of risk during this time.
Clear Communication Protocols: A Key to Safety
It is crucial for organisations to establish clear communication protocols for reporting security incidents and ensuring that prompt assistance is available when needed. In the event of a significant incident, proactive, wide-reaching communication from security management—detailing the organisation’s response—can go a long way in alleviating anxieties and clarifying the next steps. By implementing these proactive measures and fostering a culture of risk awareness, employers can empower their workforce to make informed decisions and ensure a safe and healthy holiday season.
Top Travel Tips for a Safer Holiday Season
Here’s a list of top travel tips that organisations can encourage to ensure seamless travel during the festive period:
Stay Informed and Plan for Disruptions
- Encourage employees to stay updated on local news, weather conditions, and any political developments that may affect travel plans.
- Remind employees to have backup plans in case of flight delays or cancellations due to weather, illness, or other unexpected factors.
Emergency Contacts and Travel Documents
- Ensure that employees have emergency contact information for both their home country and destination.
- Remind them to carry digital and physical copies of essential documents, including their passport, visa, travel insurance details, and emergency contact numbers.
Stay Safe in Crowded Areas
- Advise employees on staying vigilant in crowded locations like Christmas markets, airports, and festivals to avoid pickpocketing and scams.
- Encourage them to be cautious of their surroundings and to use anti-theft bags or money belts.
Secure Transportation
- Advise employees to use reputable and secure transportation methods, especially in unfamiliar or high-risk areas.
- Ensure that taxi services or rideshare apps are trusted and avoid unlicensed transport options.
Stay Connected and Share Travel Plans
- Encourage employees to share their travel itineraries and contact details with family members or colleagues in case of emergencies.
- Recommend using a travel app or platform for tracking movements and staying in touch with loved ones.
By implementing these travel tips, organisations can help your employees navigate potential risks, avoid common travel pitfalls, and ensure a safer, more enjoyable holiday season.
Contact Us for Comprehensive Support
To protect your most valuable asset—your people—please contact our dedicated team at trackassist@castorvali.com to discuss how we can support your travel and risk management needs.