Having a contingency plan or a disaster plan in case of an emergency is something that companies have been slow to implement in their Mobility Programs, if they’ve even thought about it at all. Having a plan in case of an emergency isn't only a good preventative measure to minimise the costs of disaster situations, but doing so can also save lives. As a host country or city may suddenly go through a period of unrest or natural disaster, having a plan in place of who to call and what to do will help employees and at the same time help keep the business running more smoothly.
Having A Plan in Place
An overwhelming number of companies lack contingency plans in case of emergencies. This can be a potential risk to a company as having the right strategy in place will help enact a series of actions to minimise any potential disasters on an employee’s assignment. An assignee getting hurt, a country going through civil unrest, and a natural disaster are just a few examples of potential emergencies that can occur during an assignment. Integrating a plan into company policy is a best practice that many companies put into place ensuring that there is a procedure for any situation that may arise.
Employee Awareness
Many companies relocating employees provide assignees with the necessary information to ensure they have an idea of the action plan in place for various situations. Training or briefing employees can help give them the right direction on where to go or who to contact if they need help or find themselves in an emergency. Keeping in touch with employees via text messages, emails, or alerts can also help keep them informed about any happenings in their host locations.
Keeping Control of a Situation
In the case of an emergency or incident, companies need to be able to contact their employees directly. Keeping tabs on assignees and their teams is essential for a company to take any required action, and this is why it is important that companies regularly check in with employees on assignment. Having a local team in a region can also help assignees in case they need to report to any centre, location, or command centre in case of an emergency or disaster. Companies can offer security details for high-level employees or those in high-risk areas when travelling in countries that are more susceptible to incidents or situations. When a company has a plan, including who to contact, what to do, and where to go, risks and potential disasters can be minimised.