Expatriate Security Not Given Enough Attention by Employers
Unfortunately, less than 40% of multinationals that employ expatriates, even those that have kidnap and ransom insurance programs in place, provide expatriates with pre-departure security training and for those that do provide training, it’s mostly inadequate.
Expatriate security planning and preparation is similar to what Toyota drivers are being told to do regarding runaway exceleration; prepare in advance. All it really takes is to tell yourself three times, if my car starts to race shift into neutral, don’t panic, worst comes to worse I can turn the key off. Panic and lack of preparation have left many dead.
Having someone walk expatriates through the possible situations and actually spending one full day on expatriate security can be the difference between life and death or kidnap and ransom.
Expatriate security and pre-departure preparation means running each possible scenario through… ahead of time.
If you are going to Mexico city here are your expatriate security issues. Are most employers dealing with these expatriate security concerns in advance? No.
- Should I get in a green taxi.. ever?
- Has there been an international security site assessment both on where I will work and where my family will live?
- What do I do if someone enters my car?
- What to do if someone enters the house?
- Do I have a security emergency number, and who can I reach in an emergency?
- Is there a political evacuation plan?
- Who is my security contact back in the home office or locally in Mexico City?
Effective risk management and expatriate security (against violent crime, political unrest, medical emergencies, kidnap and ransom, hotel fires, extortion, auto accidents etc.) is dependent on effective decision making and making good choices through preparation.
The expatriate policies and procedure manual should have an entire section on expatriate family security, it should not be mentioned just in passing.
