Keeping You and Your Family Safe While Relocating Overseas
Moving globally brings excitement, growth, and challenges, but one must also be prepared to adapt to new surroundings and cultures while prioritizing personal health and safety. We explore important strategies and tips for employees relocating globally to navigate their new environment with confidence.
No One Plans on Safety Issues Occurring
“Safety is not a gadget, but a state of mind.” ~ Eleanor Everet, Safety Expert
It’s crucial for Human Resources professionals managing global assignments to prioritize the safety, well-being, and Duty of Care for employees/families relocating and traveling at company request to a new country. While international assignments or permanent relocations abroad offer exciting opportunities, they also require a proactive approach to ensuring personal safety.
“The mistake travelers make is believing the biggest security risk is some external force," said Adam Bardwell, a former U.S. Army Green Beret and a security operations supervisor at Global Rescue. "In reality, the biggest security risk travelers face is their poor planning, lack of knowledge about the location and ignoring indications of danger.”
Before embarking on a global move, thorough research is essential. Understanding the laws, customs, and safety concerns in the destination country lays a strong foundation for a safe relocation. Expats should familiarize themselves with local emergency contacts, crime rates, and basic phrases in the local language for effective communication in urgent situations.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Respecting Differences
In a diverse world, understanding and respecting cultural differences is not just about etiquette; it's a fundamental aspect of personal safety.
Respecting local customs, traditions, and societal norms helps individuals avoid inadvertently placing themselves in vulnerable situations. Keen awareness of local customs or norms, such as personal space, gestures, and appropriate dress codes, etc., can foster a safer and more harmonious integration into new communities.
NEI Example – Cultural Training Success for China Joint Venture Partnership
A U.S. client promoted an employee to travel regularly to China for a new joint venture. She initially opposed any intercultural training because she had travelled to many countries prior, but the client felt the project was too critical to take any chances.
Result: The employee reported later that without the required cultural coaching sessions she could never have integrated as well or have established the local working relationships that helped the new China operations succeed. The client even approved additional coaching sessions for the rest of her assignment.
- Destination Country Healthcare and Medical Prescriptions
Researching access to healthcare and prescription medication in the destination country, especially in remote areas, is essential to reduce health risks. Find out this information in advance of arrival, especially if there are pre-existing medical conditions that might require regular doctor visits. If repeat prescriptions are needed, research if they can be filled abroad or whether one should stock up before departure and how much can be brought into the country.
NEI Example – Ensuring Children's Medical Needs in Jordan
NEI's Account Executive (AE) was assisting a family of four relocating on a long-term assignment to Jordan. The AE was asked to help find medical support in Jordan for the family's two children with ADHD, including acquiring medication locally.
Result: The AE adopted a dual solution approach: 1) asking our local Destination Service Partner (DSP) to assess local expertise in ADHD treatment for children; and 2) engaging the client to explore the support available from their global insurance provider. The client's global insurance provider offered access to local medical resources, ensuring the family could procure the necessary ADHD medication locally and receive ongoing treatment in Jordan. NEI’s DSP made introductions and arranged calls with local healthcare providers.
- Practical Safety Measures for Daily Activities
As the saying goes: “Safety is No Accident.” Implementing practical security measures for daily activities is essential. This can include being aware of surroundings, avoiding risky areas at night, and using safety apps with GPS functionalities for navigation. Additionally, relocating employees should ensure all necessary documentation – including identification as well as emergency medical and contact information – is readily accessible.
NEI Example – Emergency After-Hours Support in Brazil
An employee who had just started an assignment in Brazil was driving home on a Friday night and, while at a red light, was held up by gun-wielding assailants demanding his wallet. The employee was still able to drive off with his phone, but all cash and credit cards were gone. He could not reach his office, so he called his NEI Account Executive (AE) on her mobile number.
Result: NEI’s AE immediately contacted the client’s Security Team and International SOS for assistance in the employee talking directly with his local bank as he was not fluent in Portuguese. NEI worked with the client contact to supply him emergency cash until his credit cards could be replaced. He greatly appreciated NEI’s care and concern shown for his after-hours situation.
- Building a Support Network in the New Community
Networking isn't just for professional advancement; it's also a crucial aspect of personal safety when relocating globally.
Establishing a support network in the new country is invaluable. Building relationships with neighbors, colleagues, or fellow expats provides a sense of community and an additional layer of safety. Joining clubs, volunteering, or participating in local events facilitates meeting new people and fostering connections for support and guidance.
NEI Example – South Korea-to-Israel Assimilation
A relocating employee, his spouse and children from South Korea accepted a long-term assignment to Israel. After arrival and being there for a few months, the family felt isolated and frustrated.
Result: Intercultural training that the employee had turned down originally was re-proposed and gratefully accepted. After completing the program, the family ventured out more and enrolled in local activities to meet people and network. The family began adjusting immediately – and even extended their Israel assignment an extra year!
- Prioritizing Safe Accommodations and Transportation
Personal safety should never be compromised, especially when settling into a new country, and safety should be one of the top priorities to research before traveling. Knowing the plan for areas like accommodations and transportation that will affect daily life can help make safety concerns in a new country less intimidating.
Securing excellent accommodations and reliable transportation is paramount. Choosing accommodations in safe neighborhoods and utilizing trustworthy transportation methods are crucial steps toward ensuring personal safety. Individuals should opt for reputable housing options and reliable transportation services to minimize risks. Being cautious with personal belongings, especially in public places or crowded areas, can prevent theft or loss.
NEI Example – Expectant Couple’s Health Concerns in Brazil
An employee and his wife, five months pregnant, accepted a permanent move from Buenos Aires to Sao Paulo. NEI’s Account Executive was empathetic to the couple’s requirement that any temporary living unit shown have special mosquito netting across all windows, regardless of air conditioning units in place. Initially, this request proved difficult as 1) appropriate property inventory was scarce; 2) apartments booked fast; and 3) sourcing specific netting was difficult.
Result: NEI’s Account Executive worked with our local temporary housing service partner, and once the couple selected their property, NEI and the partner immediately identified a local, trusted mosquito abatement company and had the services completed and reimbursed. The appreciative couple settled into Sao Paulo with less apprehension awaiting their newborn.
Taking a Proactive Approach
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” ~ Benjamin Franklin
Global relocation necessitates a proactive approach to personal safety, as situations vary and even countries with fantastic reputations for safety can be problematic.
However, preparation and simple steps can help substantially mitigate risks. Individuals can survive and thrive in a new environment confidently by:
- performing research prior to departure,
- prioritizing safe accommodations and transportation,
- keeping emergency contacts’ info accessible,
- respecting cultural/international differences,
- implementing practical safety measures and have a ‘Plan B’, and
- building a support network.
Always Here to Help
NEI will continue to help empower thousands of client professionals each year to embrace their global relocation experience with confidence, safety, and resilience.
If you would like to discuss global relocation and/or business travel safety or other mobility trends, please contact your NEI representative.
The above article is provided for informational purposes only. Please consult your tax, legal, immigration or accounting advisors before making any decisions or transactions.
Keeping You and Your Family Safe While Relocating Overseas
Moving globally brings excitement, growth, and challenges, but one must also be prepared to adapt to new surroundings and cultures while prioritizing personal health and safety. We explore important strategies and tips for employees relocating globally to navigate their new environment with confidence.
No One Plans on Safety Issues Occurring
“Safety is not a gadget, but a state of mind.” ~ Eleanor Everet, Safety Expert
It’s crucial for Human Resources professionals managing global assignments to prioritize the safety, well-being, and Duty of Care for employees/families relocating and traveling at company request to a new country. While international assignments or permanent relocations abroad offer exciting opportunities, they also require a proactive approach to ensuring personal safety.
“The mistake travelers make is believing the biggest security risk is some external force," said Adam Bardwell, a former U.S. Army Green Beret and a security operations supervisor at Global Rescue. "In reality, the biggest security risk travelers face is their poor planning, lack of knowledge about the location and ignoring indications of danger.”
Before embarking on a global move, thorough research is essential. Understanding the laws, customs, and safety concerns in the destination country lays a strong foundation for a safe relocation. Expats should familiarize themselves with local emergency contacts, crime rates, and basic phrases in the local language for effective communication in urgent situations.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Respecting Differences
In a diverse world, understanding and respecting cultural differences is not just about etiquette; it's a fundamental aspect of personal safety.
Respecting local customs, traditions, and societal norms helps individuals avoid inadvertently placing themselves in vulnerable situations. Keen awareness of local customs or norms, such as personal space, gestures, and appropriate dress codes, etc., can foster a safer and more harmonious integration into new communities.
NEI Example – Cultural Training Success for China Joint Venture Partnership
A U.S. client promoted an employee to travel regularly to China for a new joint venture. She initially opposed any intercultural training because she had travelled to many countries prior, but the client felt the project was too critical to take any chances.
Result: The employee reported later that without the required cultural coaching sessions she could never have integrated as well or have established the local working relationships that helped the new China operations succeed. The client even approved additional coaching sessions for the rest of her assignment.
- Destination Country Healthcare and Medical Prescriptions
Researching access to healthcare and prescription medication in the destination country, especially in remote areas, is essential to reduce health risks. Find out this information in advance of arrival, especially if there are pre-existing medical conditions that might require regular doctor visits. If repeat prescriptions are needed, research if they can be filled abroad or whether one should stock up before departure and how much can be brought into the country.
NEI Example – Ensuring Children's Medical Needs in Jordan
NEI's Account Executive (AE) was assisting a family of four relocating on a long-term assignment to Jordan. The AE was asked to help find medical support in Jordan for the family's two children with ADHD, including acquiring medication locally.
Result: The AE adopted a dual solution approach: 1) asking our local Destination Service Partner (DSP) to assess local expertise in ADHD treatment for children; and 2) engaging the client to explore the support available from their global insurance provider. The client's global insurance provider offered access to local medical resources, ensuring the family could procure the necessary ADHD medication locally and receive ongoing treatment in Jordan. NEI’s DSP made introductions and arranged calls with local healthcare providers.
- Practical Safety Measures for Daily Activities
As the saying goes: “Safety is No Accident.” Implementing practical security measures for daily activities is essential. This can include being aware of surroundings, avoiding risky areas at night, and using safety apps with GPS functionalities for navigation. Additionally, relocating employees should ensure all necessary documentation – including identification as well as emergency medical and contact information – is readily accessible.
NEI Example – Emergency After-Hours Support in Brazil
An employee who had just started an assignment in Brazil was driving home on a Friday night and, while at a red light, was held up by gun-wielding assailants demanding his wallet. The employee was still able to drive off with his phone, but all cash and credit cards were gone. He could not reach his office, so he called his NEI Account Executive (AE) on her mobile number.
Result: NEI’s AE immediately contacted the client’s Security Team and International SOS for assistance in the employee talking directly with his local bank as he was not fluent in Portuguese. NEI worked with the client contact to supply him emergency cash until his credit cards could be replaced. He greatly appreciated NEI’s care and concern shown for his after-hours situation.
- Building a Support Network in the New Community
Networking isn't just for professional advancement; it's also a crucial aspect of personal safety when relocating globally.
Establishing a support network in the new country is invaluable. Building relationships with neighbors, colleagues, or fellow expats provides a sense of community and an additional layer of safety. Joining clubs, volunteering, or participating in local events facilitates meeting new people and fostering connections for support and guidance.
NEI Example – South Korea-to-Israel Assimilation
A relocating employee, his spouse and children from South Korea accepted a long-term assignment to Israel. After arrival and being there for a few months, the family felt isolated and frustrated.
Result: Intercultural training that the employee had turned down originally was re-proposed and gratefully accepted. After completing the program, the family ventured out more and enrolled in local activities to meet people and network. The family began adjusting immediately – and even extended their Israel assignment an extra year!
- Prioritizing Safe Accommodations and Transportation
Personal safety should never be compromised, especially when settling into a new country, and safety should be one of the top priorities to research before traveling. Knowing the plan for areas like accommodations and transportation that will affect daily life can help make safety concerns in a new country less intimidating.
Securing excellent accommodations and reliable transportation is paramount. Choosing accommodations in safe neighborhoods and utilizing trustworthy transportation methods are crucial steps toward ensuring personal safety. Individuals should opt for reputable housing options and reliable transportation services to minimize risks. Being cautious with personal belongings, especially in public places or crowded areas, can prevent theft or loss.
NEI Example – Expectant Couple’s Health Concerns in Brazil
An employee and his wife, five months pregnant, accepted a permanent move from Buenos Aires to Sao Paulo. NEI’s Account Executive was empathetic to the couple’s requirement that any temporary living unit shown have special mosquito netting across all windows, regardless of air conditioning units in place. Initially, this request proved difficult as 1) appropriate property inventory was scarce; 2) apartments booked fast; and 3) sourcing specific netting was difficult.
Result: NEI’s Account Executive worked with our local temporary housing service partner, and once the couple selected their property, NEI and the partner immediately identified a local, trusted mosquito abatement company and had the services completed and reimbursed. The appreciative couple settled into Sao Paulo with less apprehension awaiting their newborn.
Taking a Proactive Approach
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” ~ Benjamin Franklin
Global relocation necessitates a proactive approach to personal safety, as situations vary and even countries with fantastic reputations for safety can be problematic.
However, preparation and simple steps can help substantially mitigate risks. Individuals can survive and thrive in a new environment confidently by:
- performing research prior to departure,
- prioritizing safe accommodations and transportation,
- keeping emergency contacts’ info accessible,
- respecting cultural/international differences,
- implementing practical safety measures and have a ‘Plan B’, and
- building a support network.
Always Here to Help
NEI will continue to help empower thousands of client professionals each year to embrace their global relocation experience with confidence, safety, and resilience.
If you would like to discuss global relocation and/or business travel safety or other mobility trends, please contact your NEI representative.
The above article is provided for informational purposes only. Please consult your tax, legal, immigration or accounting advisors before making any decisions or transactions.
