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Welcome to the winter edition of Expatria Magazine, the quarterly digital publication from Bellwood Prestbury, a leading independent global insurance specialist for complex international, global medical and high-risk insurance solutions worldwide. This special edition highlights the issues facing employers and their staff who are living and working in the more difficult parts of the world which require more complex cover. Bellwood Prestbury’s security expert Steve McCann looks at the risks that many employers are unwittingly putting their staff, whilst Dr. Charlie Easmon considers the issues facing expatriates and the importance of pre-deployment screening covering not only physical but mental health.
Citation preview
TheMagazineofBellwoodPrestbury
SECURITY & DEPLOYMENT SPECIAL PREPARINGFORANOVERSEASASSIGNMENT
Dr.CharlieEasmonlooksatpreparingbothmentallyandphysicallyforanoverseasassignmentandwhattodowhenthingsdon’tgoquiteaccordingtoplan.SECURITYISSUESFACINGEXPATRIATES
OursecurityadvisorSteveMcCannoffersaninsightintotheissuesfacingexpatriatesworkingabroadandhowtodealwiththeincreasingdangersfacingdailylifeawayfromhome.INTERNATIONALMEDICALINSURANCE
Areyougettingthesupportandserviceyoudeserve?Welookattheadditionalservicesyoucannowexpectfromyourpolicy.
January2016
Asanemployeryouhaveadutyofcarewhensendingstaffoverseas.Weaskwhetheryourorganisationisunwittinglyputtingyouremployeesatriskwhentheytravelabroadandwhatyoushouldbedoing.SteveMcCann,BellwoodPrestbury’ssecurityadviserexplains.
Fromleafygreenstodarkchocolate,welist18foodspackedwithantioxidants,vitaminsandmineralsthathavebeenlinkedtolongevity.
Internationalmedicalinsuranceforglobalcontractorsthatcoversmorethanjusttreatmentcosts.Offeringgreatvalueandcomprehensivecoverbenefits,thiscouldbetheplanthatyouarelookingfor.
Thismonth’sfive-minuteinterviewspeakswithBellwoodPrestburyDirectorAlanThompsonabouthislifeatworkandawayfromtheoffice.
Areyouremployeesreadytomoveabroad?TheimportanceofbeingbothmentallyandphysicallyfitcannotbeunderestimatedwritesDr.CharlieEasmon.
January2016
SECURITY&DEPLOYMENTEDITION
WinterEdition
what’s inside this issue WelcometothewintereditionofExpatriaMagazine,thequarterlydigitalpublicationfromBellwoodPrestbury,aleadingindependentglobalinsurancespecialistforcomplexinternational,globalmedicalandhigh-riskinsurancesolutionsworldwide.Thisspecialeditionhighlightstheissuesfacingemployersandtheirstaffwhoarelivingandworkinginthemoredifficultpartsoftheworldwhichrequiremorecomplexcover.BellwoodPrestbury’ssecurityexpertSteveMcCannlooksattherisksthatmanyemployersareunwittinglyputtingtheirstaff
throughwhenworkingoverseasandofferssomepracticaladviceastowhattodotohelpmitigatethedangers.ThedangerofkidnaphasbecomeanincreasingproblemformanycompaniesandinthisissuePeterBellwoodoutlineshisthoughtsontheinsuranceprotectionthatcanbearranged.Dr.CharlieEasmon,BellwoodPrestbury’smedicalexpert,considerstheissuesfacingexpatriatesandtheimportanceofpre-deploymentscreeningcoveringnotonlyphysicalbutmentalhealth.ThepastquarterhasbeenabusyoneforBellwoodPrestbury.Oneofthehighlightsbeingthelaunchofourdedicatedinternationalmedicalinsuranceplanforglobalcontractors.Ifyouhaven’talreadyheardaboutthisnewandinnovativeplandesignedforbothindividualandgroups,wetakeabrieflookatthescheme.Expatriamagazinewillbebackinthesummer.Subscribingiscompletelyfreeatinfo@bellwoodprestbury.com.
AboutourcontributorsSteveMcCannBellwoodPrestbury’sappointedsecurityadviserAsthefounderofSaferEdge,Stevehasbeenworkingwithhumanitariananddevelopmentclients,forovertenyears,oftenoperatinginsomeofthemostchallengingareasoftheworld.Steveworkswithclientstohelpthemruntheirprogrammesandprojectsmoreeffectivelyandsafely,nomatterwhattheenvironment.Hisroleistoplanstrategyforthegrowingnumberoforganisationsandtoleadclientrelationsanddevelopment.Dr.CharlieEasmonBellwoodPrestbury’sappointedmedicaladviserCharlie’srouteintotravelmedicineandpublichealthwasthroughmedicalevacuations,workingabroadandwiththeHospitalforTropicalDiseases(HTD)travelclinic.HehasenjoyedseveralyearsontheboardoftheBritishTravelHealthAssociationandwasoneofthefirstUKmedicalpractitionerstoobtaintheInternationalCertificateinTravelHealth(CTH)fromtheInternationalSocietyofTravelHealth.
are you protecting your staff?
AnemployerhasbeenorderedtopayhundredsofthousandsincompensationafteracourtawardeddamagestoastaffmemberwhowaskidnappedinKenya.Thecourtruledthattheemployerwasguiltyofgrossnegligenceandhadfailedinitsdutyofcaretoitsstaff.Theemployeesufferedgunshotwoundsandwasheldbymilitiamenforfourdays;hisKenyandriverwaskilled.Hisemployernowfacesabillof4.4mkrone($640,000)pluscourtcosts-andislikelytohavesufferedsignificantdamagetoitsreputation.Whatcouldhavebeendonetoavoidtheincident?Couldyourorganisationbeunwittinglyputtingstaffatsimilarriskwhentheytravel?Andwhatstepsshouldyoutaketomakesurethejobgetsdoneassafelyaspossible?SteveMcCann,explains.
Weallhavearelationshipwithrisk:it’scomplicated.Weassociateriskwithreward,excitement,boldnessandadventure,asmuchaswithexposure,vulnerability,lossandtragedy.Assessingriskcanbejustascomplicated-andmanagingitmoreevenmoreso.Butthat’snoreasontobrushtheissueunderthecarpet.Whenorganisationsfailtoengagewithriskthroughaprocessofgoodsecurityplanning,poorqualitydecisionsareoftenmade.Theconsequencescanbesubstantial.Fortheemployee,theyincludedphysicalandpsychologicalpain.Fororganisations,theconsequencescanbelegal,financialandreputational.Andatthesametime,nobodywantsacultureof‘youcan’tdothat’.Weallhaveworktodo–andsometimesthatworkisrisky.Thetrickistotakeagrown-upattitudetoassessing,understandingandmanagingthespecificrisksthatfallunderyour“dutyofcare”.
Anyorganisationowesadutyofcaretoitsemployees,contractors,sub-contractorsandotherswhomaybeaffectedbyitsactionsortheactionsofitsemployees,contractorsandsub-contractors.Thisappliesattheirofficesandotherplacesofwork,andanywhereelsewhereemployeesorcontractors/sub-contractorsareworkingonbehalfoftheorganisation-outinthefieldoraclient’ssite,forexample.InEnglishlaw,anemployermustprovide:1. Asafeplaceofwork,includingaccessand
egress2. Safeplantandequipment3. Asafesystemofwork4. Safeandcompetentfellowemployees5. Adequatelevelsofsupervision,
informationandtraining.Inessence,youareexpectedtodemonstratethegoodmanagementofsafety,throughacommonsenseapproachinawaythatassesseshazardsandensuresthatappropriatesafeguardsareputinplace.
a duty of care
AnEnablingRiskManagementSolutionMyconsultancy,SaferEdge,typicallyworkswithclientswhosendtheirstaffoverseasto“challenging”placessuchasSouthSudan,Nigeria,Mali,DRC,andYemen.Thebigrisksintheseplacesareobvious–butthesameprinciplescanbeappliedclosertohome,too.Werecommendasimplethree-stepapproachtocreatingandmaintaininganenablingriskmanagementsystem:
1. SystemAudit&Review-reviewofrelevantdocumentation,anddiscussionswithindividualsandgroupmeetingswithkeymanagement.Thiswillrevealstrengthsinthecurrentwaysofworking,identifywhereexistingsystemsmaybelacking,prioritisegapsanddeterminewhoisowedwhatlevelofdutyofcare.
2. Creating/AdaptingtheSystem-
formulatingasolutionthatbuildson,andfullyintegratesinto,yourexistingpracticesandprocedures.Thesolutionelementsarelikelytocoversafetyandsecuritypolicy,collationofrelevantinformation,provisionofananalyticalframeworktomakeinformeddecisions,abilitytorecordanddisseminatedecisionsandguidance,standardproceduresforeverydayoperations/activities,businesscontinuityplanning,developmentofcrisismanagementcapacity,insurancearrangements,andanalysisofemployeetrainingrequirements.
3. OngoingSupport–nosystemcan
maintainitselfindefinitely:maintenanceandconsistentattentiontodetailareimportant.Requiredinputsmayinclude:
• Advisory:securityreviews,riskassessments,pre-deploymentcontextbriefings,facilitiesreviews,budgetingguidance,logisticssupport(accommodation,venues,transport),incident/crisismanagementadvice
• OnTheGround:arrivalbriefings,unarmedcloseprotection,emergencylocalcontacts,traumamedics,safetyandsecuritymanagers,partnerorganisationsupport
• CapacityBuilding:generalorbespokefacetofacetraining,liveonlinetraining,coaching/mentoring.
Ultimately,thisapproachwillensureyouachieveafunctioningriskmanagementsystem,adaptableasyourorganisationgrows,thatenablesproactiveengagementwithriskmanagement,andthatreducesyourlegal,financialandreputationalvulnerability.
EnablingRiskManagementinPracticeAlegalcompanyadoptedacompleteintegratedandinclusiveriskmanagementsolutiontosupportandprotecttheirstaffoverathree-yearperiodofworkintheNigerDeltaareaofNigeria.Thisfocusedonahighprofilecase,requiringtraveltoandaroundremotelocations.Thesecuritymanagementplanandin-countrylogisticsupport,basedoninclusivesecurityprinciples,facilitatedtravelaroundremotelocationsinsupportofthehighprofile,sensitivecase.Theprojectremainedincidentfree,waslowcostandhighlyeffective.Severalorganisations,includingagrowingandinternationallyactiveMonitoringandEvaluationorganisationaswellasalargemulti-nationalDevelopmentorganisation,haverecentlyadoptedamorepro-active,enablingriskmanagementapproach.
Asaresult,theyhavebeenableto:• Providethecontentforcompellingand
credibleriskmanagementelementstofulfildutyofcarecriteriainprojectbids
• EnsuretheboardofdirectorscanmakemoreinformedGo/NoGodecisionsforinternationalcontracts
• Ensurethatsecurityconsiderationsareproperlybudgetedinproposalsaccordingto‘minimumeffectivedose’principles–enoughtostaycompetitiveandenoughtoensurethattheprojectdoesnotlosemoneyduetounforeseencosts
• Understandacountrycontextandassociatedrisks,andsodevelopcontext-appropriateprocedurestominimisethoserisks
• Provideemployeesandconsultantswithpre-departurebriefings,in-countrybriefings,andanyrequiredtraining
• Easilylocatesuitableaccommodationandotherlogisticsrequirements
• Developcapacitywithintheorganisationtomanagepotentialcrisesinordertoreducethepersonal,financialandreputationalimpactfacedbytheorganization.
…andfornon-workersyoualsohavearesponsibility
Itcanbedifficultytoworkoutwhetheryouhaveadutyofcareresponsibilitytonon-staffwithwhomyouwork,soaskyourselfthefollowingquestions:
1. whethertheyareemployedbyanotherorganisation,andifsowhatcapacitythatorganisationhas?
2. whethertheyaretravellingoutsideoftheirnormalsphereofoperations?3. whetherthetraveltoadestinationqualifiesashighorextremerisk?4. ifthetravellerisexperienced,andifso,isthatexperienceinlinewiththeproposedtrip?5. ifthetravellerhasanyvulnerabilities,ingeneralorspecific,totheproposedtrip?6. ifyourcompanyororganisationismakinganyofthearrangementsforthetrip,isthe
travellerrelyingonyourcompanyforaspectsofthetravel?7. whatdoestheindividualretaincontrolof,andwhathasyourcompanygotcontrolof?
Do you have a “duty of care” to your employees? Intortlaw,adutyofcareisalegalobligationwhichisimposedonanindividualrequiringadherencetoastandardofreasonablecarewhileperforminganyactsthatcouldforeseeablyharmothers.Itisthefirstelementthatmustbeestablishedtoproceedwithanactioninnegligence.Theclaimantmustbeabletoshowadutyofcareimposedbylawwhichthedefendanthasbreached.Inturn,breachingadutymaysubjectanindividualtoliability.Thedutyof caremaybe imposedbyoperationof law between individualswithno current directrelationship(familialorcontractualorotherwise),buteventuallybecomerelatedinsomemanner,asdefinedbycommonlaw(meaningcaselaw).Dutyofcaremaybeconsideredaformalisationofthesocialcontract,theimplicitresponsibilitiesheldbyindividualstowardsotherswithinsociety.Itisnotarequirementthatadutyofcarebedefinedbylaw,thoughitwilloftendevelopthroughthejurisprudenceofcommonlaw.
Tofindoutmore,[email protected]
we’llhelpyoutoprotectyouremployeesandyourbusiness.
forbusinesstravelinsurance
calluson+44(0)1242584558(
From leafy greens to dark chocolate Soyouwanttoliveto100?Researchshowsyourdietplaysahugeroleinhowmanybirthdaycandlesyou’llblowout.Thefollowing18foodsarepackedwithantioxidants,vitaminsandmineralsthathavebeenlinkedtolongevity.
Broccoli:itcontainsimmune-boostingcompounds,andmayalsohelpwardoffstomachulcersandevencancer.Salmon:includingomega-3-richfish(andotherslikeit,suchastuna,mackerel,andsardines)asaregularpartofyourdietmayreduceyourriskofheartdiseaseandpreventagainstinflammation.Water:stayinghydratedreducesyourriskforbloodclots.Italsohelpsyoufeelyoungerbykeepingenergylevelshigh.
Berries:strawberries,blueberries,raspberries—allarebite-sizedantioxidantpowerhousesthatstaveofflife-threateningdiseases.Garlic:itmaynotdoyourbreathanyfavours,butthephytochemicalsingarlicmayhalttheformationofcarcinogeniccompoundsinthebody.Oliveoil:themonounsaturatedfatsinoliveoilhavebeenlinkedtobrainandhearthealth,aswellascancerprevention.Plus,dermatologistssaywomenwhofollowolive-oil-richdietshavelessskindamageandfewerwrinkles.
Bokchoy:inaVanderbiltUniversitystudy,Chinesebreastcancersurvivorswithdietshighincruciferousveggieslikebokchoyhadalowerriskofdeathorrecurrence.Avocado:ifyourcholesterolnumberscouldusesomehelp,listenup:eatingmoreavocadomayhelploweryourbadLDLcholesterolwhilealsoraisingyourgoodHDLcholesterol.Tomato:there’snobettersourcefortheantioxidantlycopenethanrosy-redtomatoes.
Beans:yourgo-tochoiceforplant-basedprotein,beansarealsohighinfibre,lowinfat,andpackedwithmorenutrientspergramthananyotherfood.Wholegrains:inastudyofmorethan40,000women,thosewhoatelotsofgrainshada31%lowerriskofdyingfromcausesotherthancancerorheartdiseasewhencomparedwithwomenwhohadfewornowholegrainsintheirdiet.Besuretocheckouttheotherhealthbenefitsofwholegrains.Redwine:researchonthehealthbenefitsofwineandotheralcoholismixed,buthere’swhatwedoknow:asmallamountofredwineat
theendofthedaymayreducestress,whichisgoodforoverallhealth.Leafygreens:inastudy,middle-agedpeoplewhoateacupofcookedgreensdailywerehalfaslikelytodiewithin4yearsasthosewhoatenoleafygreens.Tea:greenteahasbeenshowntolowerriskofheartdiseaseandseveraltypesofcancer.Coffee:yes,yourmorningcaffeinecravingmaybelengtheningyourlife,onecupatatime.ResearchassociatesdrinkingcoffeewithalowerriskforAlzheimer’sandParkinson’s,anda2012
studyfoundthatcoffeedrinkerstendtolivelonger.Darkchocolate:a1999Harvardstudyof8,000mendiscoveredthatthosewhoatechocolateasmanyasthreetimesamonthlivedayearlongerthanthosewhodidn’t.Nuts:withheart-healthyfats,protein,fibre,vitaminsandminerals,nutsmayjustbethehealthiestsnackyoucaneat.Thatsaid,notallnutsarecreatedequal,sochoosewisely.Redcabbage:thisvibrantlycolouredveggieboostsbrainhealthandguardsagainstcancer.
international medical insurance
for your employees worldwide
Getting the right international medical insurance cover is not as straight forward as you thought. Formanyexpatsandglobalcontractors,oneofthemainreasonsforbuyinginternationalmedicalinsuranceisdowntothequalityofmedicalcareofferedinthecountrytowhichtheywillbemoving.Localmedicalfacilitiesmaybedifficulttoaccessasaforeignerorsimplysubstandardandsomethingthatyouwouldnotwishtorelyon.Withinternationalprivatemedicalinsuranceyouremployeeswillhavetheadvantageofbeingabletoaccessthebesthospitalsanddoctorsavailableinthecountrywheretheymaybeworkingand,ifnecessary,tosourcetreatmentoutsideoftheirhostcountry.Inshort,you’repayingthebillsoyoucandecidewhathappens.Importantly,internationalmedicalinsurancepremiumsareusuallycalculatedonthelevelofcoveryouchooseforyouremployees,wheretheywillbelivingandworking,ratherthanontheclaimsthatmayhavemadeinthepast.Ofcourseformanypeople,itisalsoeasiertobeabletocommunicatewithaninternationalinsurancecompanybecausetheyoffersupportinmanylanguages.Somethingwhenyouremployeesareunwellandstressedwillbeagreatcomfort.Choosing an International Health Insurance Provider Sohavingdecidedthatyouneedinternationalmedicalinsurance,whatistherightoptionforyourbusinessandhowshouldyougoaboutchoosinganinsurer?Firstofall,theworldofinternationalmedicalinsurancecanbeaminefieldifyou’renotfamiliarwiththewiderangeofproductsavailablefromawholehostofinsurers.Addtothisthecomplicationofunderstandingthelocalregulationsintroducedbymanycountrieswhichcanaffectwhatcoveryouremployeesmayneed,meansthatit’simportanttogetgood,clear,impartialadvice.Theinternetisofcourseagreatsourceofinformation,butyouwillfinditbettertospeakwithaspecialistbrokerorintermediarywhowillbeabletogiveyouclearadvice.
AtBellwoodPrestbury,wehavebuiltupawealthofknowledgeoverthepast15yearsworkingwithawideselectionoftheverybestinternationalmedicalinsurancecompaniesfromaroundtheworld.Wewillguideyouthroughthisminefield.Andasourcostsarecoveredbytheinsurancecompanythatyouchoose,ouradviceandsupportdoesn’tcostyouathing.Creating the right package Thereareofcoursemanydifferentfactorstoconsiderwhenchoosingthemedicalinsuranceplanthatbestfitsyourbusinessandyouremployees.Youwillneedtoconsiderwhereyouremployeesareworkingtodeterminethebestareaofcover–thosecountriesyoumightwishyouremployeestoreceivetreatment.Internationalhealthinsurerstendtodividetheworldintodistinctareas–usuallymade
upoftwoorthreeregions,Europe,worldwideexcludingtheUSAandworldwide,althoughtherecanbemanymore.Onceyouhavedecidedonwhichareaworks,youwillprobablyhavevariouspremiumlevelstochoosefrombasedonhowcomprehensiveyouwishyourcoverbenefitstobe.Naturallythisallcomesataprice,soyouneedtoaskyourselfwhetheryou’dratherhavelowerpremiumsormorecomprehensivebenefits.Therewilloftenbetheoptiontoincorporateadeductibleintoyourcorporatepolicy,anywherebetween$50and$5,000dependingupontheplanyouchoose,inexchangeforalowerpremium.It’ssomethingwe’reallusedtowithmotorandhomeinsurance,soitssomethingtoconsiderwhenitcomestomedicalinsurance.Asidefromthecorebenefitsprovidedbyyourinsurerwhichnormallyincorporateshospitalaccommodationandtreatment,specialistfeesandothertreatmentreceivedaspartofastayinhospital,youwillalsobeabletobuy-inadditionalbenefits.Thisgivesyoutheoptiontocustomisecoveraccordinglytowhatyouremployeesneedandmightinclude:
GeneralPractitionerfees
Out-patientSpecialistFees
Physiotherapy
Dentaltreatment
MaternityCare
Wellnessandcheck-ups
Prescriptionmedicines
CancerandChronicCare
EmergencyMedicalEvacuationcover
Advantages of International Health Insurance Perhapsmostimportantly,internationalmedicalinsuranceisnotjustaboutpayingthebills.Insurershavetheexperienceofdealingwithmedicalissuesacrosstheworldandcanprovideexpertadviceandsupport.Theyhave24/7helpcentresemployingmultilingualstaff,includingmedicalprofessionalswhomyoucanspeakwithifyouremployeeshavequestionsaboutthecaretheyarereceivingintheirhostcountry.Theyunderstandwhatit’sliketobelivingandworkinginanunfamiliarcountryandhavethelocalcontactsonthegroundtoensurethatwhenyouremployeesneedhelp,thereisalwayssomeoneonhandtohelpsmooththeprocessofgettingtherighttreatment,attherighttime,attherightplace.Please don’t forget to read the small print Ofcourseitgoeswithoutsayingthataswithallinsuranceplans,itisimportanttoreadthefineprintofyourpolicy.Makesureyouknowinadvancewhatwillandwon’tbecovered.Hereareafewquestionstokeepinmind:• Willyouremployeesneedtopayupfront
formedicalcareandthenbereimbursedafterwards,orwilltheirhealthinsurancecompanypaythemedicalinstitutiondirectly?
• Isthepolicyyouarebuyingapprovedbytheauthoritiesofthecountryyouremployeeswillbevisitingiftheyneedtogetavisa?
• Willexistingmedicalconditionsbecovered?
• Asidefromtheinsurancepartofyourpolicy,what‘extras’doesyourinsurancecompanyoffer?
• Whatisn’tcovered?
Whenyouneedinternationalmedicalinsurancethatprovides
localsupport,speaktooneofourspecialistconsultants
K I D N A P &
Whilstresponsiblecompanieswouldneverdreamofsendingtheiremployeesonabusinesstriporshort-termassignmentoverseaswithouthavingsuitablebusinesstravelinsurance,manyarefailingtoensurethattheyprovidetheirpersonnelwithadequatepre-deploymenteducationandawarenesstrainingpriortotheirdeparture.
Somearealsounawareoftheriskofkidnapandthecostsinvolvedshouldthisunfortunatelyhappenwrites Peter Bellwood.
Asideoftheransom,thecostofakidnapcrisismanagementexpertisintheregionof$2,000adayplusexpenses.Intheeventofakidnap,withoneormultipleexpertsengaged,thecostscanquicklyescalate.Ifitturnsouttobealongcaptivity,thecostscanbehugeandrunintothemillionsoftencripplingthebusinessintheprocess.Whilstinsurancedoesnotremovetherisk,itisatriedandtestedwayofbothaccessingthenecessaryexpertiseandmanagingyourexposuretounknowncosts.
Mostbusinessescitetheiremployeesastheirmostimportantasset,thereforeensuringtheyarefittotravel,suitablybriefedandwell
trainedbeforeatripshouldbeofthehighestimportanceforanycaringemployer.
Furthermore,withlitigationbecomingmorecommonplace,businessescannotaffordtoignoretheir‘dutyofcare’totheiremployees.
Aswellasacourtcase,adversepublicitycanbedirectedatthebusiness.
Sowhatdoesatypicalkidnap&ransompolicycover?
• Securitybriefingfromexpertspriortodepartureandaccesstothelatestsecurityintelligence,24/7,365.
• Unlimitedfundingforsecurityexpertstohelprespondtoanythreatsorexperiencedmediatorsintheeventofanincident.Thisincludesmakingthemoneydropifnecessary.
• Assistancewithmanagingpublicrelations.
• Thereimbursementofaransompaymentuptothepolicylimit.
• Alumpsumintheeventofdeathordismemberment.
• Coverforlossofearningsduringcaptivityandrehabilitation.
• Emergencyadviceandassistanceduetopoliticalunrest,includingrelocationcostsandevacuationifnecessary.
KeepingYourPeopleSafer
Weallknowthatpreventionisbetterthancurewhenitcomestoone’shealthorwellbeing.Therefore,priortoyourpersonnelheadingoff,ensuringyouhaveasuitablyrobustandwelldocumentedawarenessandeducationprogrammeisoftheutmostimportance.
WhilstthehighestrisksareoftenassociatedwiththoseworkinginSouthAmericaorotherdangerous,remoteorhigh-riskcountrieslikeAfghanistan,Iraq,NigeriaandSomalia,thethreatofransomisescalatingfromoccasionalincidentstoplannedactivitiesfromwell-organisedcriminalgangsandterroristgroups.
Whenselectingyourinsurer,whilstcostisalwaysamajorconsideration,priceandpricealoneshouldnotbethekeydriverinyourdecisionmakingprocess.
Nowadaysthereareplentyofinsurersofferingkidnapinsurancebutaretheyuptothejob?Howlonghavetheybeenprovidingthistypeofcover?Whoistheappointedcrisismanagementfirmanddotheyhavetheexperiencetomanageakidnapsituationwhereyou’reoperating?
Rememberfastinterventionsfromexperiencednegotiatorsarecriticaltogoodoutcomes.
Tofindoutmoreabouthowyoucanprotectyouremployees,speaktooneofourspecialistsecurityconsultantsbycalling+44(0)[email protected].
pre-deployment screening for
EXPATRIATES Sendinganemployeeabroadisexpensiveandevenmoresowhenthepartnerandchildrenareinvolvedaswell.Whethermaleorfemalethepartnerisusuallyknownasthe‘trailingspouse’.Thejobofdeploymentusuallyfallsonhumanresourcesorglobalmobilitymanagers.Thecostsofdeploymentincludetravel,newaccommodation,relocationexpensesandsometimeslanguagetrainingandculturalsupport.ExpertsattheForumforExpatriateManagementhaveestimatedcostscouldbewellover$150,000.Thefurtherafieldorthelessdevelopedthecountrythenthehigherthecosts.Extraexpensesmayincludeprivateschoolingforchildreneitherbackinthehomedestinationorinaninternationalschool.Clearlyitisimportanttosendtherightpersontotherightlocationattherighttime,butwhatifallthisfallsapartbecausethepersonorafamilymemberhasanundetectedorundeclaredphysicalormentalhealthproblem?Thecostsofpre-deploymentscreeningcanrangeintheprivatesectorfromafewhundredtoafewthousandpoundsandthiscanbeseentooffsetthecostofgettingthingswrong.
Physicalhealth&mentalhealthBeforesomeonegoesabroad,generalpublichealthdatacantellyoualotaboutyouremployeesandfamiliesbasedonageandgender.Thechartaboveillustratesatypicalworkforceof5000people.Theadvantagesoffindingthisoutbeforedeploymentareself-evidentbutthemainonesinclude:
1) Checkingthattheemployeeorfamilymemberisreceivingoptimalcareandthatthiscanbemaintainedoverseas
2) Reviewingwhetherlocalfacilitiescancopeorareappropriateforthecondition3) Reviewingwhethertherelevantcondition(s)arecoveredbyyourinsurance4) Reviewingmedicalevacuationplansfromthesiteofdeploymenttothebestlocalmedical
facilities.
AnengineeringfirmhadanemployeeworkinginChina.Themaninhis50’swasobese,hadhighbloodpressure,diabetesandraisedcholesterol.Hisjobwasphysicallytiringandhehadahighriskofaheartattack,astrokeoranyofthemanycomplicationsofdiabetes.Anyofthesecouldhavemadehimasafetyrisk.
Ascreeningprocessforthismanwouldhaveidentifiedalltheattendanthealthrisksandsuggestedstrategiestoreducefurtherrisks.Hecanlooseweightifmotivatedtodoso.Hecanexerciseathome.Hecanchangehislifestyleintermsofincreasingexercise,reducingfoodintakeandcuttingbackonalcohol.Hisdiabetescanbeoptimallymanaged.Acardiologistcanassesshimand,ifnecessaryhecanhavepreventativeproceduresbeforehehasthatimminentheartattack.AfemaleemployeeandhertrailingspousehaveasonwithADHDandAutismSpectrumDisorder(ASD).
SpecialistandnormalschoolsintheUKhavefoundithardtomanagethechild’sdisruptivebehaviour.HenowhastoattendanewschoolinanewcountrywhereEnglishisnotthefirstlanguage.Hemaythriveinthenewenvironmentbuttheoddsareagainstit.
Thestressesofhisproblemsimpactontheemployeeandherworkperformanceandcausestrainsinherrelationshipwithherpartner.Ifidentifiedpre-deployment,expertadvicecanbesoughttomitigatetherisks,increaseflexibilityoftheemployee’sworkloadandconsiderationgiventoextrafamilialsupport.SamtheITexpertissenttoNigeria.HeisadvisedthatheneedstogettheYellowFevervaccine,whichhedoes.Nooneadviseshimaboutmalaria.
Samdiesofmalaria.Hiswidowsuesthecompanyandsettlesoutofcourt.Intoday’sclimateherlawyermayinvoketheCorporateManslaughterandCorporateHomicideAct2007,forwhichthereisunlimitedliability.HeremployerwillarguethattheygavehimadviceinrespectofYellowFeverbuttheprosecutionwillarguethatbasedontheBolam/Bolithprincipleshedidnothavethebestadvicethatwascurrentlyavailable.Heshouldhavehadapropertravelhealthconsultationconcerningallrisksofdisease,allvaccinesandallprophylaxisandprotectivemeasuresrequiredforhisdestination.
Susanhadseveredepression10yearsago.Lastyearshewassenthomefromheroverseaspostafteranincidentfuelledbyalcoholwhereshehadinsultedacolleague’swifeatadiplomaticfunction.ShehashadsixweeksinaprivaterehabilitationunitandherGeneralPractitionernowregardsherasfittoreturntoacountryinAfricawithlimitedmentalhealthresources.
Atscreening,Susan’sfullmentalhealthhistorywouldbereviewed.Itwouldbeascertainedthatdepressionisa‘chronic’diseasewithknownopportunitiesforrelapses.Hercurrenttreatmentandmedicationwouldbereviewed.Anassessmentcouldbemadeastowhetherherpsychotropicdrugswouldbeallowedincountryandavailable.ShewouldbeadvisedtoavoidMefloquineashermalariaprophylaxis.Shemayhaveon-goingissuewithalcoholismanddespiteherstoryofcurrentfastidiousnessthebloodtestsmightindicateotherwise.AsensibleriskplancouldbegiventoheremployerastowhethertodeploySusanatallorifsohowtobestmanageandsupportherinhernewdestination.
Soremember...Travelabroadhasnovelhealthrisks.ManycountrieshavelessdevelopedmedicalfacilitiesthantheUK.MedicalevacuationsfromlocationAtobetterlocationBareexpensiveandfraughtwithhealthandsafetyrisks.Notallemployeeswillbe100%physicallyandmentallyhealthybuttheycanbescreenedpre-deploymenttoassesswhathealthrisktheyhaveandwhatcanbemodifiedormitigatedpre-andpost-deployment.Inmyprofessionalopinionandexperiencethecostsofthescreeningareminimalcomparedtothecostsofgettingdeploymentwrongonhealthgrounds.
Dr.CharlieEasmon,MBBSMRCPMScPublicHealthDTM&HDOccMedCTHFRSPHisChiefMedicalOfficerandPresidentoftheInternationalAssociationofPhysiciansfortheOverseasServices.
travel advice for the
Lone Traveller “I’moftenaskedabouttravellingalone,andhowcanagenciesprovidesecurityforlonefemaletravellers.Whilstit’savalidquestion,mencanalsobevulnerable.Thethreatsaredifferentbutcanleaveeithervulnerable.Knowingthecontextandunderstandingyourprofileagainsttheriskwillgoalongwaytohelpingtravellersmakeinformedchoices.Gettingasmuchlocalinformationaspossiblebeforetravellingandmonitoringthesituation.Yourlocalcolleaguesareanexcellentsourceofinformationbutensurethatyoucrossreferenceitagainstothersources.Knowwhenitissafetositinabaraloneandwhenit’snot.Manypeoplefeeluncomfortablewheneatingoutaloneandwillarmthemselveswithabook,tabletorentertainmentofsomesort,asitcanfendoffquestionsandunwantedattention.Justmakesureyoulookup,andaroundyou.Don’tdisappearintoyourownworldandbeoblivioustotheworld.Thinkaboutwhoknowswhereyouare.Istheresomeonelocallyyoucancheckinwith?Itmightbeanothercompany,oryourhostagencybackhome.Cantheyreactappropriatelyifyouneedthem?Howareyoutrackinglocalinformation?Areyouusinglocalmedia,talkingtodriversandyourin-countrycontactareallexcellentsourcesofinformation.Gettinglocalinformationisvitalandcannotbeunderrated.”
AnnapurnaChowdhuryisaconsultanttrainerandsecurityprofessionalatSaferEdge.
Medical insurance created for global contractors Createdexclusivelyforcontractorswhetherasindividualsoraspartofagroupscheme,theinternationalcontractors’healthplanoffersarangeoftailoredmedicalinsurancesolutionsforpeopleworkingintheOil&Gas,Energy,Telecommunications,TechnologyandAssociatedsectors.Bybringingtogetherhighqualitypersonalservice,achoiceofcomprehensivecoverbenefitsandaffordablepremiums,theprogrammerecognisestheuniquedemandsandrequirementsoftheglobalcontractorbypackagingeachelementunderasingleproposition.KeyBenefits:
• Choiceofcomprehensiveproductswithhighbenefitlimits• Clear,relevantinformation,detailingwhatisandisn’tcovered• Freedomtoreceivetreatmentanywherewithintheinsured’schosen
areaofcover• Fullcoverforhospitaltreatmentinaprivateroom• Fullcoverforsurgery• Fullcoverforcancertreatment• Coverfororgantransplants• Emergencymedicalevacuationandcompassionatecover• Crisismanagementassistance• Globalbloodtransfusionservice• Straightforwardprocessesandquickturnaroundtimesfromjoiningto
claimingTofindoutmore,callustodayon+44(0)1242584558orvisitourdedicatedwebsiteat:
www.bellwoodprestbury.com/pmicontractors
Grab-a-Bag
“WhenI’mtravellingIliketocarryagrabbagwhichcontainseverythingIneedforafewdaysincaseof...well,anything!Everythinginmybagneedstobemulti-useandmulti-functionbutthatarecompactandeasytocarry.Constant Companion. This is a list of theessential phone numbers I need formy trip.EverytimeItravelIcheckwhatnumbersIneedandupdateit.ItjustmeansifIlosemyphoneorbreakit,Istillhaveallthosekeynumbersatmyfingertips.‘Handyphone’ or SimpleMobile Handset. Insomelocationsit’snotagoodideatopullouta smartphone so a simple, cheap mobilephone, is always a good investment. Thesimpler ones tend to be robust, cheap toreplace, less conspicuous and I can I insert alocalSIMcard,inmostlocations.
Copiesofmypassportandvisa.I’mneversurewhenI landhowmanycopiesofmypassportwillbeneeded.Insomelocationsitcanbehardto find a photocopier, so I carry a couple of
copiesofmypassportwithme. I alsoemail copiesofallmykeydocumentsto a stand-alone email account.Allowing me to open that emailwithoutaccesstomywholelife.A large scarf. I always carry a large100% cotton scarf wherever I travel.They are so handy, and double up aspillows,protectionfromsun,makeanoutfit culturally more appropriate, abedsheet–theusesareendless.FirstAidKit.Ialwayscarryasmallfirstaidkit. I’vedoneacoupleofFirstAidcourses,andknowhowtouseallofmyequipment. On some trips I carry adental kit or a sharps kit, in others astandardUKfirstaidkitwillbefine.ItalldependsuponwhereI’mgoing”.
AnnapurnaChowdhuryisaconsultanttrainerandsecurityprofessionalatSaferEdge.
thetruecostofsending
anemployeeabroadCostprojectionsareanextremelyimportantpartofplanningforassignmentsanddependinguponthejob,therearevaryingtaxandimmigrationcostsandregulations,aswellasotherassignmentexpensestoconsider.Additionalcoststhatmustbeconsideredwhenanemployeegoesabroadincludeimmigration,taxplanning,relocationforthefamilyandhouseholdgoods,homesearch,temporaryliving,host-countryhousing,globalallowancesandtaxgross-upsforanytaxespaidonbehalfoftheemployee.Planningwellforanytypeofassignmentwillprovideasmoothendofyeartaxcomplianceprocessandsignificantcostsavingsforthecompany.Ingeneraltermsitcostsabout2.5to3timesanemployee’sbasesalarytosendthemona
expatriateassignment.Soforsomeoneonasalaryof$150k,itwouldcostthebusinessbetween$360Kand$440Kbasedonthefollowingassumptions:
1. Thecompanyoperateataxequalisationprogrammeinordertopickupanyexcesstaxcostsabovewhattheemployeehavepaidontheirhomeemploymentincomehadtheynotgoneontheassignment
2. Afullsuiteofallowancesispaidtotheemployee,thiscouldcompriseofmobilitypremiums,hardshipallowances,CostofLivingAllowancesetc
3. Thecompanypayforhost
accommodation,hostschooling,hosttransportation,homeleavetraveletcforthedurationoftheassignment.
Thefive-minuteinterview GettingtoknowwhatmakesBellwoodPrestburyuniqueasaleadingglobalspecialistinsuranceintermediaryisverymuchdowntoit’speopleandwhyiscontinuallystandsoutfromthecrowd.Inthisissue,weaskAlanThompson,aDirectoratthecompany,abouthisbackgroundandlifeoutsideofthecompany.
Wherewereyouborn,wheredidyoustudyandwheredoyoulivenow?
IwasborninGloucesterandthisiswhereIstilllivetoday.Iattendedoneofthecity’sgrammarschoolsforboysuntilIenteredthebusinessworldandjoinedEagleStarLifeAssuranceCompanyin1987asatraineeaccountsclerk.
HowdidyoucometojoinBellwoodPrestbury?
Afterenjoyingmorethantwentyyearsworkinginlargefinancialservicescompanies,includingEagleStar,ZurichInternationalandThreadneedleInvestments,Ifanciedachangeanddecidedto‘gocontracting’asaself-employedbusinessconsultant.OneofmyfirstmajorprojectswasatBellwoodPrestburytohelpthefirmoverhaultheirbackofficesystemsandfinance.
ImetwithPeterBellwoodwhoexplainedthebusinessanditsfutureplans.ThetypeofservicesBellwoodPrestburywereofferingwerereallyuniqueandexcitingandnotthenormintheinsuranceindustry.Iwasswayedbythis,acceptedthecontractandstartedinJanuary2009foraninitialthree-monthperiod.Asthebusinessdeveloped,Iwasprettymuchspendingallmytimethere.SevenyearslaterIamstillhereandamnowadirector.
WhatdoyouthinkmakesBellwoodPrestburydifferenttootherinsuranceintermediaries?
Ithinkourvastlyexperiencedteammakeahugedifferencetowhatweareabletooffercustomers-theseniorpeopleinthebusinesseachhaveover25yearsofinsuranceexperience.Themajorityofushavespentyearslearningourtradeinlargeinsuranceandcorporateorganisations,bringinganexcellentmixofskillsandexpertise.
Asabusiness,wecontinuallystrivefortheverybestforourclients.Wetrulybelieveintreatingourcustomerscorrectlyandfairly-buildingpartnershipsandtrustisattheheartofeverythingwedo.Weareinacompetitiveindustry,andasasmallbusinesswereallyvalueourcustomers.
Technologyplaysabigpartinourindustry.Howdoesithelpyouinyourroletoday?
Weusetechnologywheneverwecantoimproveefficiencies.Asyouwouldexpect,weareverydependentonourITsystems.WehavearobustandstableITplatformtoensure‘systemdowntime’iskepttoanabsoluteminimum.Evena15-minutelossofourITsystemscanbeamajorinconvenience.Toimprovetheresilienceofoursystemswehaveinvestedincloudcomputingtechnology.
Cloudcomputinghasalsoallowedustoavoidheftyupfronthardwarecostsandimprovedmanageabilitywithlessmaintenance.Thecloudenablesusaccesskeysystemsbothonandoffsiteviamobiledevicesandtablets.Thishasprovedasuccessfulstrategyandwecurrentlyachieveextremelyhighlevelsofsystemavailability.
WhatmajorchangeshaveyouseenatBellwoodPrestburysinceyoujoinedtheCompany?
Duringmytimeatthebusiness,wehavemovedpremisestoalargerheadofficebuildinginagreatcentrallocationinCheltenham,haveundergoneacorporaterebrand(twice)andinvestedheavilyintechnologyandsystems.
Wehavealsograduallybecomemore‘corporate’bydrawingonourrespectivebackgroundsandintroducingstandardsandprincipleswithintheorganisation,alwayswiththeaimtoimproveourclientserviceoffering.ThisapproachhasbeenvalidatedbyusbecomingaLloyd’sCoverholderandISO9001accredited.
Ifirmlybelieveweareverywellpositionedwithexcellentcredentialsandagood
reputationwithourkeypartnersatLloyd’sandotherinternationalinsurers.
Ifyoucoulddoanyotherjobintheworldotherthantheonethatyoudonow,whatwoulditbe?
That’satrickyone.IsupposeafootballmanagerorperhapsacoachatLiverpoolFC–bothwouldbechallengingandrewarding.Thatsaid,Iamintheperfectjob.Afterworkinginlargecompanies,contractingandnowasmallerbusiness,Ilovethechallengesthatspecialistbusinessessuchasoursfaceinaglobalisedworld.Ifeelweaddrealvaluewithdecadesworthofexperiencethatsimplyisn’teasytocomeby.
WhilstIhaveforasplitsecondconsideredallmannerofideas,mostofitreallywas‘pieinthesky’asmyskills,knowledgeandexpertiselayinfinancialservices,financeandadministrationsoIamdestinedtostaywhereIam!
Whatareyoumostproudofbothpersonallyandprofessionally?
ProfessionallyIamproudofourcompanyandhowmuchwehavedevelopedsincePeterfoundedthecompanysome15yearsago,andIhopeevenmoresosinceIjoinedin2009.AlthoughIachievedmuchsuccessinmyprevious‘big-corporate’careeritdoesnotcomparetothepersonalsatisfactiongainedfromachievingsuccessinabusinessinwhichyouhavefargreaterinvolvementandpersonalinterest.
Ifyoucouldhavealongrelaxinglunchwithanyonealivetodayorfromthepast,whowoulditbeandwhy?
Iadmireanycompanythatpridesitselfonitsqualityandthatprovidesagreatproductandservice.Ialsorespectsuccessfulentrepreneurs,soputtingthetwotogetherIwouldprobablychooseApplefounder,SteveJobs.WeallknowhowsuccessfulApplehasbecome,butitwasSteveJobsthatstartedeverythingfromhiskitchentableinthe1970s.JobswaspersonallyinstrumentalinbringingtotheworldtheiMac,theiPod,theiPhoneandtheiPad–allproductsthathavesoldintheirmillionsworldwide.
Outsideoftheoffice,whatdoyoudowhenyoumanagetogetsomefreetime?
Ienjoymostsports,whetherI’mtakingpartorwatching.Itrytokeepfitbyrunningandtheoccasionalvisittothegym.WheneverpossibleIwatchGloucesterplayrugbyandtryandgettoAnfieldtwoorthreetimesaseasontowatchLiverpoolplay.I’vealsorecentlystartedtowatchlocalfootballatCheltenhamTown.Iamalsoahorseracingfanandenjoystudyingtheforminabidtobeatthebookies.WeareluckytohaveCheltenhamRacecourseonourdoorstepandIattendasmanyracemeetingsaspossibleandalwayslookforwardtotheannualCheltenhamFestivalinMarcheachyear.
forconfidentialandprofessionaladvice:
calluson+44(0)1242584558(
GlobalReachPersonalServiceBellwoodPrestbury’sexperiencedconsultantsregularlyflyaroundtheglobetodirectlyliaisewithclients.BellwoodPrestburyanalyseyourrequirementsandspendtimetounderstandyourbusiness.BellwoodPrestburyidentify,manageandmonitortheinsuranceneedsofbusinessesacrosstheglobe,helpingtoreducetheadministrationheadacheandproactivelymanageemployeebenefitpackages.BellwoodPrestburyspecialiseininsuranceforhigh-riskoccupations,companiesoperatinginhigh-riskregionsandcomplexornon-standardcover.
BellwoodPrestburyareleadingglobalinsurancespecialists,arranginghigh-riskandcomplexcoverforcompaniesandorganisationsthroughouttheworld.BellwoodPrestburyareindependentlyowned,soanyadvicewegiveisentirelyfreefrombias.BellwoodPrestbury’soperationsareaccreditedbytheBritishAssessmentBureautoISO9001.BellwoodPrestburyareauthorisedandregulatedintheUKbytheFinancialConductAuthority(FCA).
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