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Go the Safe Route When Your Employees Travel for Work

Tristan Anwyn

June 30, 2015

How can you take care of your employees when they're on the road?

Sometimes your staff members might have to travel, whether that's to get to a networking event or to meet with clients. As their employer, you are of course concerned for their safety and want to make sure their trip goes well.

What are some things you and they can do to make small business travel go smoothly?

Get Informed Beforehand

Whether your employees are traveling 50 miles to see a client or flying cross country or overseas for a conference, getting informed beforehand is a must.

For trips closer to home, check out the exact location and the best way to get there.

As the article "Important Safety Tips For Budget Travelers" says, you should always learn the route before leaving.

That includes knowing where your employees are going, but also any toll roads or bridges, where gas stations are along the route and so on.

If travel abroad is on the cards for your employees, you should both learn as much as you can about the destination.

From local customs to necessary vaccinations, get informed so your employees can be well prepared.

Encourage Good Driving Habits

If your employees need to travel by car to events or to see clients, it's vital that you encourage them to adopt good driving habits.

Think about holding a workshop or circulating an email full of road safety tips to help your employees have a safe trip.

Here are some of the things you should encourage:

• Always carry some healthy snacks and water;
• Take regular breaks while driving;
• Don't use cell phones while driving;
• Keep abreast of weather forecasts and other driving alerts;
• Check the condition of the vehicle before leaving;
• Lock all valuables out of sight in the trunk;
• Pack a basic car maintenance kit;
• Join a roadside assistance organization.

Teach International Travel Safety

If your employees are traveling abroad, encourage them to brush up on their international travel safety with tips such as:

• Always leave a copy of the itinerary with someone;
• Separate cash - keep some on you, some locked in your room, and credit cards in a different place;
• Carry a list of important numbers including the hotel, airline, local embassy and local law enforcement;
• Avoid unfamiliar shortcuts or deserted areas - stick to routes that are known to be safe;
• Don't wear conspicuous jewelry, leave bags unattended, or carry too much cash;
• Don't accept packages from strangers and be wary of those who want to sell you something, show you around or ask for your help;
• Keep copies of all important documentation;
• Know local customs and etiquette.

Be a Responsible Employer

To make sure your employees' business travel goes as well as possible, take responsibility for preparing for the trip, helping them to stay safe, and doing all you can to make the trip go as smoothly as it can.

While your employee is away, encourage them to check in, and make sure you're available.

If your employees will be using company vehicles, make sure they are fully insured and well maintained. Your employees should always be getting into vehicles that are in tip top condition.

You might consider running travel safety workshops to go over some helpful hints and tips and create a chance to talk with your employees about travel safety.

Make use of personal recommendations and online reviews when choosing airlines and hotels, so you can make safe and reliable choices for your employees.

With careful planning and brushing up on practical travel safety tips, you can help make small business travel both enjoyable and profitable.

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