Globalization has come with an immense impact on how we manage our political, economical, social, and cultural differences. With globalization, companies have no option but to go global as well. There is always a need to have some employees from mother country to foreign land to help in laying the ground for the company’s operations. The expatriates’ relocation to foreign land comes with associated risks such as a change in culture, political situation in the foreign land, state of the economy, health, and education of the associated family members, and housing. The other headache to the expatriates is how to get information to address their concerns about the country they are relocating to work.
According to Mead & Andrews, (2009), health and safety are of utmost importance to expatriates when traveling overseas for duties. The persons going overseas should liaise with their foreign affairs offices to get vital information about their health, safety, and emergency preparedness before they travel to the foreign country. It is also imperative that the expatriates get country-specific information in-order to get up-to-date facts on local food, water safety, and recommended vaccinations. One can access information from Center for Disease Control (CDC) website. Another source of information that can be of great help is the “study abroad safety handbook” normally used by students but can as well serve the same purposes to expatriates (Mead & Andrews, 2009). Concerning safety while traveling, there are flight safety tips that passengers should always know. They advise on safety measures while on flight and even when they reach their destination.
Another source of information is the Regional Security Officer (RSO) stationed at the embassies that guide expatriates and their families on personal safety and provide them with required resources. Therefore, it is advisable that upon arrival to your host country, make sure you meet the local RSO to discuss your new place of residence and seek his/her advice on safety. Fellow expatriates and local colleagues can be of great help, as you can seek vital information and direction as to matters concerning personal safety. The person traveling to the foreign country can enhance his/her safety by seeking information about the new destination through internet and persons who in the recent past visited the same destination (Mead & Andrews, 2009).
Aswathappa & Dash (2007) advises that some of the basic steps before leaving for the host country are: One should make sure their insurance policies are up to date and make solid arrangements for the payments of premiums. Writing a “will” which may help in case the unexpected happen in solving property disputes. Make efforts to acquire cell phones that allow access to the most commonly used systems in your home country and provide number through which the relatives can contact you. Expatriates should take insurance policies for equipment that they will use while abroad such as laptops, binoculars, cameras, etc.
Ensure that you photocopy vital documents such as passport, visa, and credit cards. This will allow for quick replacement in case they are stolen or misplaced. one needs to travel light, have conservative and practical clothing and avoid carrying your valued clothing that you may hate to lose (Frankel & Kahler, (1993). Transfer your power of attorney to a trusted relative to allow smooth running of your businesses. Confirm your credit limit with the service provider to avoid inconvenience while abroad. Carry extra passport photos, this can assist in your identification in case you are involved in an accident in the host nation. Ensure that insurance coverage you have includes service providers in the host nation. One needs to have a Hotmail account, which will assist in communication and electronic storage of data and reports (Aswathappa & Dash, 2007).
Aswathappa & Dash (2007), inform that in case one has to carry prescription medicines; they need to get authorization from their physician since some medicines are considered illegal in some countries. To ease their mobility while abroad, one has to acquire international driving license thereby allowing them to drive vehicles. Learning the locals’ language is also a plus in ensuring personal safety thereby promoting communication with the locals and this helps in acquiring information on the personal services. One can establish personal contacts with the locals, this helps in obtaining reliable responses about your concerns and guidance. Another safety measure is to pre-arrange for your movement from the airport to your hotel or offices. The travel itinerary and information on how to contact you should be left with the family or close friend and this information should be highly confidential.
According to Frankel & Kahler, (1993), Personal awareness on matters; attitude, strengths, limitations, self-esteem, and values helps one know how to relate with others thus ensuring one’s safety. One should try to be aware of locals’ attitudes towards strangers, gender matters, their values, and common means of communication. One needs to be aware of the happenings in their immediate environment to be alert of risks to their safety. One has to be attentive to locals’ perception of expatriates and try carrying himself in a manner that is not provocative. Familiarize with your neighborhood and workplace ensuring that you are street smart thus aware of con artists, pickpockets, and crime-prone streets. One has also to pay attention to the host nation’s politics and economics through newspapers, television, radio, and magazine gossips. One needs information on pending local events such as demonstrations, anniversaries, and elections that can be a risk to their personal safety (Frankel & Kahler, 1993). One needs to know of the availability and reliability of security, emergency, fire, and medical support services to be able to ask for assistance in case of danger. One needs to establish network with colleagues and their embassy personnel to be able seek assistance in the event one is in danger. Knowledge of evacuation procedures can be of assistance in the event of a crisis.
Frankel & Kahler, (1993), asserts that personal conduct is of utmost importance. Resident security officer gives safety guidance, but how one conducts her/ himself is a matter of choice. Things like relationships, attire, places to visit, mode of transport to use and purchases are the risk exposures. Therefore, it is imperative expatriates behave in a manner that not only affects their personal safety but also that of people around them. The expatriates should avoid clothing that shows their nationality and is disrespectful to local customs. Behave like a professional, radiate some sort of confidence while on the streets, avoid show-off, and always have official identification documents (Hill, Cronk & Wickramaseke, 2007).
We can conclude that the expatriate’s safety while abroad depends so much on the person who is relocating in that he has to be ready to appreciate the host country’s cultural, political, and economic dynamics and be ready to associate with the locals as his/her people. Much of the people’s safety depends on their willingness to seek information and be aware of their environment (Hill, Cronk & Wickramaseke, 2007). The people who succeed in international assignments normally have broad-based sociability, flexible culturally, the drive to learn languages, cosmopolitan orientation, and more importantly a collaborative negotiation style (Black & Gregersen, (1999).
References
Aswathappa, K. & Dash, S. (2007). International Human Resource Management. New Delhi: Tata McGraw-Hill.
Black, J & Gregersen, H., (1999). The Right way to manage expats. California: Global business publishers.
Frankel, J., & Kahler, M. (1993). Regionalism and rivalry: Japan and the United States in Pacific Asia. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Hill, C., Cronk, T., & Wickramaseke, R. (2007). Global business today: an Asia-Pacific perspective. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Mead, R. & Andrews, T.,(2009). International Management. London: John Wiley and Sons.