Travel Risk Policy – 6 considerations for Business Travel Managers

Travel Risk Policy

6 Considerations:

Most conventional travel policies focus purely on cost – justifiably this should be a major control factor on how employees book and conduct travel. However, a good policy should allow travellers flexibility in how they travel when going to higher risk destinations – absence of such direction and awareness can create unnecessary exposure to risk.

1. A travel risk policy does not have to be a standalone document, for example relevant wording in relation to international travel can be a sub-section of an organisation’s operations policy or in their general travel policy.

2. In principle the length and detail of such a policy is unimportant, the key factors are: in some form it must exist; be accessible; be communicated; and be acknowledged by employees. An organisation can have an excellent travel risk policy but it will only be effective if they and their employees follow it and it is reviewed regularly.

As a minimum, polices/ wordings should cover:

3. Direction on travel bans and which destinations require further authorisation (generally based on travel risk ratings or government restrictions).

4. How travel is booked (for finance and tracking purposes).

5. Direction on hotel and ground transportation providers (including self-driving).

6. Medical screening and direction on who to contact if the employee encounters an incident.

Such a policy needs ownership (by someone) and reinforced from the CEO/ MD down – lack of such leadership and support is likely to lead to an ineffective policy. Through appropriate travel education, employees can be made aware of an organisation’s policies and procedures as well as having the benefit of encouraging safe travel practices.

beTravelwise can tailor travel safety eLearning programmes to include an organisation’s travel policies and procedures – contact us if you want to discuss options.

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