International SOS Foundation and Fisher & Phillips, LLP, Publish White Paper on Legal Duty of Care Framework in the US

"We are in an era where new business markets are growing rapidly and international business travel has increased exponentially," says Lauren Cell, an attorney with Fisher Philips. "While this increase is certainly welcome, it brings with it the challenge of managing and maintaining the health, safety and security of employees traveling or working abroad – otherwise known as an employer's Duty of Care."

As the study analyzes the evolving Duty of Care obligations in the US, as well as emerging International trends evident in the United Kingdom and Canada, several case studies are examined. These demonstrate the complexities and potential liabilities US organizations may face, and how this may vary depending on local regulations.

Laurent Fourier, Executive Director of the International SOS Foundation adds, "In today's volatile global environment, US based companies need to ensure they are taking care of their travelers to be legally compliant and ensure business continuity. Following travel risk management is best practice and vital components of this are:  assessing travel risks, developing policies and procedures, communicating to and training employees, as well as effectively responding to incidents. By providing a jointly developed White Paper with the legal experts at Fisher Phillips, our aim is to help educate organizations of the real legal implications they face and, in turn, provide a practical framework that can be implemented to mitigate their risks."

In addition to implementing travel risk policies, proactively and effectively assessing risks, and clearly and frequently communicating risks and their associated policies, the guidance also calls on companies to develop training and assessment measures.

Cell continues: "Perhaps most importantly, the paper outlines the best practices all employers – large, medium, and small – should take in developing a strong and effective travel risk management plan."

A copy of the whitepaper can be downloaded in full here.

About The International SOS Foundation

Established in 2011, the International SOS Foundation ― Ambassadors for Duty of Care www.internationalsosfoundation.org – has the goal of improving the safety, security, health and welfare of people working abroad or on remote assignments through the study, understanding and mitigation of potential risks. The escalation of globalization has enabled more individuals to work across borders and in unfamiliar environments; exposure to risks which can impact personal health, security and safety increases along with travel. The Foundation is a registered charity and was started with a grant from International SOS. It is a fully independent, non-profit organization.

For more information on Duty of Care and the International SOS Foundation, please visit http://www.internationalsosfoundation.org/

About Fisher Phillips

(www.fisherphillips.com) Fisher Phillips attorneys are ready to help you take a stand: in court, with employees and unions, or with competitors. Fisher Phillips has the experience and resolve to back you up. That's why some of the savviest employers come to the firm to handle their toughest labor and employment cases.

The firm has more than 350 attorneys in 33 offices. The offices are in Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbia, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Gulfport, Houston, Irvine, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, Memphis, New Jersey, New Orleans, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa, and Washington, D.C.

SOURCE International SOS Foundation

Related Links

http://www.internationalsosfoundation.org