Companies risk failing female executives
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Female executives in the Asia Pacific region want more travel security advice from their firms which “risk failing in their duty of care”.International SOS has announced the results of a poll based on 120 respondents representing international organisations based in the Asia Pacific region. In general, female business travellers want travel security advice from their organisations. Results show 57% of respondents said that their company did not provide any specific advice related to personal safety for travelling female executives, while 85% felt that their organisation should give more advice. Furthermore, 60% would like to receive personal safety guidelines via email or from a 24-hour assistance hotline while only 20% wanted face-to-face briefings. The research shows that companies tend not to differentiate travellers on a gender basis, failing to account for the added risks female executives face when travelling on business. With women making up an ever larger percentage of business travellers, now at about 45%, Dr Penelope Kinch of Travel Security Services says organisations must realise that statistically, women are more likely to face specific threats such as harassment, assault or handbag theft.Kinch said; “Companies risk failing in their duty of care obligations if inadequate support is provided to their female business travellers before, during and after travel.” She added that by properly preparing for travel, simple factors from arranging to be met at the airport by a company employee to having an understanding of cultural sensitivities can give all travellers a head start in mitigating potentially dangerous situations before arrival. International SOS released five ‘golden rules’ to help female travellers stay safe.
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