When you travel frequently for work, it can be an exciting experience, although hectic and potentially dangerous. A schedule jam-packed with meetings with barely enough time to eat, means that business travellers tend to prioritise fulfilling their work obligations over their own safety. But neglecting basic safety—especially while travelling for work in an unfamiliar city—can be perilous.

Case Study

In 2014 a young account executive, Adam, at a Manchester-based software company learned the importance of only using licensed taxis and keeping his mobile charged while travelling for work.
Following a busy day of meetings in Berlin, Adam hailed a taxi to take him back to his hotel. Unfortunately for Adam, the taxi he hailed was unlicensed and was operated by a con artist hoping to secretly bilk him out of his Euros.

After 30 minutes of driving down congested side streets, Adam began to suspect his driver was ‘taking him for a ride’. He decided to verify that they were headed in the right direction by checking his smartphone, but it was dead. Adam panicked and asked the driver to let him out at the next junction. The driver refused. Adam threatened to call emergency services which made the driver pull over, but not before he threatened him physically if Adam refused to pay his €100 fare. Adam paid and exited the taxi. After hailing a licensed taxi, Adam discovered he was more than an hour from his hotel. Unfortunately he had neglected to write down the fraudulent taxi’s number plate in order to alert the police.

How can you stay safe?

The next time you are travelling for work, by following these simple tips it should ensure your trip is both successful and safe:

• Clearly it pays to be extra vigilant and only use licensed taxis. Using an unlicensed taxi driver can force you to pay an exorbitant rate and threatens your safety. Only hail taxis from legitimate taxi ranks.
• Make sure you guard your mobile and keep it charged. In an unfamiliar city, your smartphone is your lifeblood. Keep it charged and operational to ensure you can access the Internet and contact emergency services. Power packs are very handy if you’re not able to plug in elsewhere.
• Be cautious when checking into your hotel. If possible request an upper-floor room with an interior entry way, this should deter anyone from breaking into your room. Also by keeping your room number and surname a secret from others, it can help prevent someone from making fraudulent charges or gaining unauthorised access to your room.
• If you’re quite sociable and are happy speaking with strangers, refrain from being especially demonstrative—you may unwittingly disclose personal or sensitive information or become so comfortable that you don’t realise your new ‘friend’ just stole your wallet.
• After a long day of travelling for work, your impulse may be to have a few drinks at a local bar to help relax—but try to limit this to just a couple. By limiting your alcohol intake it helps to avoid any mishaps and can ensure you are rested and ready for the next day’s meetings.
• Be wary of connecting to local internet connections. Hackers frequently disguise phony connections as legitimate ones in public places and steal your sensitive data. Ask the facility’s employees to identify the official Wi-Fi connection for you.
• It’s wise to create a business travel plan. By planning ahead you can avoid any potential emergencies or unexpected setbacks. You should include information such as your hotel booking number, your flight data and your co-workers’ contact details in your travel plan. Don’t forget any insurance contact details as well, including policy numbers and emergency contacts.

If you travel for work, remember never to prioritise fulfilling your work obligations over ensuring your personal safety. Even though your trip may be hectic, stay focused, alert and safe at all times.

Source: Zywave - Safety focused Newsletter July 2015

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