A journey less perilous: Penningtons Manches hosts international business travel and operational security seminars

Posted: 12/10/2016

Being robbed following an accident in a hire car abroad, suffering injury due to sub-par health and safety in a subcontractor’s factory, or being caught up in a terrorist attack while working  overseas – these are the stuff of nightmares for workers and their employers alike.  In recent seminars co-hosted by Penningtons Manches and international risk management consultant Edson Tiger, delegates had the opportunity to explore these nightmare scenarios from prevention through to cure in interactive case studies, and examine the regulatory, legal and practical implications for employers whose employees get into difficulties while working abroad.  

The seminars were well attended by representatives from global accountancy firms, insurers, charities and not for profit organisations, international mining companies, educational establishments, major corporations, banking, and recruitment organisations. The interactive format of the seminar created strong engagement and excellent feedback: “very useful, informative, interactive and inclusive seminar“; “a thought-provoking blend of legal and security risk management consideration”; “really found case study style useful”; “very informative and thought provoking session highlighting areas where we can definitely improve”; “highly recommended”.

Edson Tiger directors David Curran and Paul Denning provided an overview of an employer's responsibilities for overseas travel - how to assess the risk of the destination country reliably, preparing staff for travel, and safe methods of operating within the host country – whether that be mainland Europe, the Middle East or destinations of various and varying risk in between.

Penningtons Manches partner Mark Lee, head of the travel law team, highlighted the employer's legal obligations when planning overseas travel, illustrated with a detailed analysis of two recent cases with similar facts and very different outcomes for the employer.  Mark concluded with a practical session on crisis management and business continuity, should the worst happen.

The seminars were chaired by Penningtons Manches partner Julie Bond, an expert in commercial and litigious aspects of regulation, who led discussion on ”how to get a grip and keep it” when managing a crisis, and the sometimes surprising relationship between publicity and legal outcomes. They were held in Penningtons Manches’ London office on 4 and 5 October 2016.

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