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The United States Department of Justice wants the public to know that hotel crime is serious. At Axcet HR Solutions, we agree—and we’re here to support your travel risk management initiatives with hotel safety and corporate travel safety tips that your employees can implement now.
The DOJ reports that two "major problems in hotel settings" are theft and burglary. Anyone can be a victim of hotel crime--regardless of their demographics. For small to mid-sized businesses that send employees out on the road to make sales, service accounts and represent the company, hotel safety is a critical function of travel risk management. By educating employees to keep a few key guidelines in mind, businesses can protect their employees (and their company).
Here are 20 of our workplace safety experts’ most effective travel risk management tips, including 13 hotel safety tips and seven general corporate travel safety tips:
First things first when it comes to business travel safety: make sure the hotel you’re staying at is safe. One of the best ways to do this is to comb through the hotel’s reviews.
Check various third-party sites for feedback, including Expedia, Trivago and Yelp. Never rely on reviews on the hotel’s website alone, as these could be displayed selectively. It’s always better to spend a bit more and ensure your safety. Keep an eye out for reviews from other business travelers if they’re available.
Don’t wait until you’ve arrived at the hotel to discover that your reservation didn’t go through. You could risk having to find new accommodations last minute, which can be unsafe.
This isn’t always possible, but it is far preferred when it comes to travel risk management.
It’s a good practice to give a coworker, a loved one, or both a call when you’ve checked in. That way, others can be certain you’ve arrived safely to where you need to be.
RELATED: Q&A: Sharing a Room When Traveling for Business >>
At check-in, inquire about their hotel safety protocols. If it isn’t already a standard practice, instruct the hotel’s staff to keep your name and room number private.
Don’t give your name or room number to anyone except a few designated coworkers and loved ones. Ask check-in staff to verify the identity of any guest who purports to be visiting you.
At a minimum, your hotel room should feature door locks, deadbolts, security chains and a peephole. If you prefer, you can use the "do not disturb" door tag as an extra staff to alert staff not to enter your room while you're in it.
Make sure all hotel safety room security features are working as soon as you check in to your room. For example, you should be able to see through your peephole.
Double-check that you have stable cellular data connection on your personal phone, as well.
Especially if you’re on a ground floor, windows or balconies are common entrances for criminals looking to prey on travelers.
Educate yourself on the safe use of Wi-Fi and technology while traveling. If possible, access your personal and business information only through a virtual private network (VPN), and install a firewall on your personal and corporate devices. Take special care when using the hotel’s business center, and refrain from accessing sensitive data on the hotel’s provided computers.
At check-in, inquire about the hotel’s fire safety and evacuation plans. You should be aware of the location of fire extinguishers and fire exits in your hotel.
If they aren’t made available to you, inquire about the hotel’s cleaning protocols. Check for bed bugs along the seams of the mattresses in your room before turning down for rest.
You can carry simple travel alarms in your luggage that will alert you to a door or window opening in your room. Many alarms are motion-activated.
Before embarking, make sure at least one coworker, as well as loved ones back home, are in possession of a detailed itinerary of your trip. To help ensure business travel safety, someone should know where you are (or should be) at all times.
When traveling for business, one key safety tip is to blend in with your surroundings and avoid drawing attention to yourself as a visitor. This means dressing appropriately for the location, being mindful of local customs and not displaying obvious signs that you're a tourist, such as taking pictures, being overly absorbed in the map on your phone in public or asking for directions.
It's also important to walk confidently and with purpose, as if you know exactly where you're going, even if you're not entirely sure. This can help deter potential criminals from seeing you as an easy target.
Always do your research ahead of time to know which areas are safe to explore and which are best avoided. And don't hesitate to ask the hotel staff or a trusted local for directions or recommendations. Just remember to be discreet and not advertise that you're unfamiliar with the area.
Awareness of the hotel’s surroundings is critical to corporate travel safety, especially in a city where you aren’t a local. Knowing the locations of the nearest police stations and emergency medical services is also a must.
Only use safe and approved transportation options, such as ride-share apps. Never get an unmarked taxi, even if it appears to be waiting outside your hotel.
Especially if you’re traveling internationally, you should be aware of local laws and safety norms and take care to respect them. Research appropriate dress and communication standards ahead of time. Keep up with local news during your stay, so you can be aware of any potential safety concerns, events or weather conditions.
Business travelers should carry minimal cash and avoid displaying expensive jewelry and electronics.
Many travel insurance options cover burglary, theft and medical emergencies for travelers.
Your business cares about its employees’ safety—and so does Axcet HR Solutions. Our workplace safety experts are here to help you ensure that any accident that can be prevented is prevented.
If you could use a hand making sure your premises are safe, reviewing your workplace safety practices, or if you’d like to speak with risk management, and HR compliance experts, schedule a quick consultation with Axcet HR Solutions. At Axcet, we work with you to make sure you can stay compliant with all relevant laws and regulations, keep your employees safe, and so much more—so you can get back to your core business.
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