Tag: Travel Tools

COVID-19 Travel Recommendations and Resources

Resources and recommendations for traveling during covid-19

Many employers must navigate an increasingly complicated world of COVID-19 travel recommendations brought on by the pandemic. One of the biggest challenges is that recommendations may change rather frequently. Some states or countries may have a regular update pattern for their data. Still others may target their data to organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In an environment with so much volatility, employers should confirm their travel policies are up-to-date. These policies should take into account data sources that provide guidance and assurance for travelers. For any employees that travel, employers should recognize a duty to provide updated information and guidance. This will help employees understand how they might travel safely during the pandemic.

COVID-19 Travel Recommendations: CDC Resources

The CDC maintains an updated Geographic Risk Assessment for COVID-19 Transmission website. This includes an interactive map that offers specific COVID-19 travel health information for each destination. The map is color-coded with five different colors for the following risk assessments:

  • High Risk
  • Moderate Risk
  • Low Risk
  • No Travel Health Notice (Risk is Very Low)
  • No Data Available (Risk is Unknown)

Interestingly, the list of countries, areas, regions, and municipalities where there is no travel health notice includes both large and small population centers. The list includes:

  • Taiwan (over 23,000,000 residents)
  • Macau SAR (over 649,000 residents)
  • Isle of Man (over 85,000 residents)
  • Saba (over 1,900 residents).

The CDC notes that it bases its COVID-19 risk assessments on two data sets: virus transmission rates and healthcare capacity/public health infrastructure at the destination.

COVID-19 Travel Recommendations: U.S. Travel Association

The U.S. Travel Association® maintains an online COVID-19 Resources for Destinations website. Their website lists a number of resources for travel information. The “COVID-19 Travel Industry Research” section specifically relates to travel destinations, trends, and traveler sentiments. Resources include:

  • Tourism Economics: weekly analysis on travel spending
  • Arrivalist®: daily trends tracker of automotive trips of at least 50 miles
  • Destinations Analysts: weekly insights into US business and leisure travelers

Other sections for resources include “CARES Act Relief Resources,” “COVID-19 Policy Priorities,” and “Travel Industry Recovery Resources.” The U.S. Travel Association® has published a fact sheet with several statistics showing the impact of COVID-19. Overall, the pandemic’s impact on the industry is greater than the impact of September 11 events and the Great Depression. The fact sheet includes a number of recommendations for lawmakers to help the industry and the nation’s economy move toward recovery.

COVID-19 Travel Recommendations: State Resources

Many states in the US have prepared responses and resources to help residents and visitors understand how they should comply with the state’s requirements. Several states have specific advisories relating to visitors coming from specific destinations.

Connecticut

For example, the state of Connecticut maintains an online “Travel Advisory for Visitors to Connecticut” with a note that it is updated on a weekly basis each Tuesday. Governor Ned Lamont of Connecticut issued Executive Order No. 7111 on July 21, 2020. The Order requires the following:

“…anyone traveling into Connecticut from a state with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents, or higher than a 10% test positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average, are directed to self-quarantine for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state.”

Connecticut also maintains an online “Connecticut COVID-19 Response” information portal with a number of additional resources

South Dakota

By comparison, the state of South Dakota does not have any travel restrictions for visitors. Governor Kristi Noem issued an Executive Order regarding COVID-19 guidelines. Generally, the Order requires that residents and employers must follow CDC guidelines in response to the pandemic.

However, some routes in the state that go through tribal lands may be closed. The South Dakota Department of Tourism has published a fact sheet noting COVID-19 travel recommendations and restrictions on tribal lands in the state. The Department also maintains an online “Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information” website with helpful information for visitors.

South Dakota also maintains an online “COVID-19 in South Dakota” information portal with a number of additional resources.

What Should Employers do About COVID-19 Travel Recommendations?

Companies should review their current travel policy and relocation program to determine if they need to review them for specific COVID-19 travel recommendations. Relocation Management Companies (RMCs) with expertise and experience in travel policies for relocation programs are a valuable resource for policy reviews. Companies should schedule a travel policy review on a regular basis to learn about the best travel tools and latest features. As a result, they will be able to streamline and enhance travel reporting and compliance requirements.

Conclusion

Global Mobility Solutions’ team of corporate relocation experts has helped thousands of our clients benchmark their relocation program and incorporate the best travel tools into their business travel policy. Our team can help your company understand how to identify COVID-19 travel recommendations into your company’s travel policy for your traveling employees.

GMS was the first relocation company to register as a “.com.” The company also created the first online interactive tools and calculators, and revolutionized the entire relocation industry. GMS continues to set the industry pace as the pioneer in innovation and technology solutions with its proprietary MyRelocation® technology platform.

New SafeRelo™ COVID-19 Knowledge Portal

GMS recently launched its new SafeRelo™ COVID-19 Knowledge Portal featuring a number of helpful resources including:

  • Curated selection of news and articles specific to managing relocation programs and issues relating to COVID-19
  • Comprehensive guide to national, international, and local online sources for current data
  • Program/Policy Evaluation (PPE) Tool for instant relocation policy reviews

Learn how to incorporate COVID-19 travel recommendations into your company’s travel policy and relocation program. Contact our experts online or give us a call at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.

Request your complimentary relocation policy review

Categories
Domestic Relocation Challenges Global Relocation Challenges Talent Mobility

Airline Travel and COVID-19: Subject to Change

Businessman holding digital tablet at airport using protective mask

For business travelers, constant change is the message for airline travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. Flight rescheduling and cancellations, questions as to the ability to receive a refund, the inability to reach a destination due to local restrictions, and shifts in business priorities result in continual disruptions. It is difficult to predict the “new normal” for anything related to airline travel.

Airlines for America (A4A), the industry trade organization representing the leading U.S. airlines, has been working with its members to develop and enforce new policies. Changes abound in requirements, cleanliness, food offerings, and service centers all across a traveler’s journey. However, major airlines seem to be coalescing around a few main points for the summer travel season.

Get Ready to Wear a Mask for Airline Travel

Much of the US is still grappling with the concept of mask wearing. Some governmental units require masks, while others do not. Major airlines recently took the proactive approach of requiring masks for entry onto a plane. Additionally, many major airports also require masks in terminals, security and gate boarding areas, and around areas such as car rentals, trams, buses, and trains.

American

American requires customers to wear a face covering while on board aircraft and at the gate. Customers will receive notices and reminders of the policy at the airport and during the flight. Customers who do not comply will not be able to board a plane, and may be denied future travel with the airline.

Exceptions:

  • Some passengers are exempt from the face covering requirement
  • Policy does not apply while customers are eating or drinking

Delta

Delta requires all customers to wear a face mask or appropriate face covering. Face coverings will be required starting in the check-in lobby. This requirement will carry across all Delta touchpoints. As a result, face masks are required at Delta Sky Clubs, boarding gate areas, jet bridges, and on board the aircraft. Delta is adding digital notifications, signage, and announcements starting before customers leave home and all during their airline travel with Delta. Delta will refuse to allow flyers without masks to board flights, and will add them to a “no-fly list.”

Exceptions:

  • People unable to keep a face covering in place, including children
  • During meal service

United

United requires all passengers to wear a face covering onboard its flights. Passengers who do not comply will be placed on an internal travel restriction list. Customers on this list will lose their travel privileges on United for a period of time. The duration of time will be determined pending a comprehensive incident review.

Exceptions:

  • Individuals who have a medical condition or a disability that prevents them from wearing a face covering
  • Those who cannot put on or remove a face covering themselves
  • Small children
  • When eating or drinking

You May (or May Not) Notice Safety Barriers During Airline Travel

Similar to various shields and barriers you might see at salad bars, the grocery store, or perhaps visiting a teller at a bank, you may notice new safety barriers in place. Often made of plexiglass, these clear shields provide a barrier between people in those places where social distancing may be difficult. Plexiglass is both sturdy and translucent. Therefore, plexiglass may appear as clear as glass and is often designed to blend into its setting. Ideally, the barriers will offer safety without comprising visibility.

For example, Delta’s Flight Product subsidiary designed and manufactured custom safety barriers made of plexiglass for check-in desks in lobbies, gates, and Delta’s Sky Club counters. United notes that it has installed sneeze guards at check-in and gate podiums. American is installing commercial-grade shields at ticket counters.

Greater Cleanliness Standards in Airline Travel

Anyone who partakes in airline travel will inevitably see a greater emphasis on sanitation and disinfection. These measures are being instituted throughout the entire industry. Therefore, planes, jetways, gates, lobbies, doorways, and clubs—in fact, nearly all areas from start to end have heightened cleanliness.

American

American has increased cleaning and sanitizing of all areas including kiosks, ticket counters, passenger service counters, baggage service offices, lounges, clubs, gates, boarding areas, and planes. It has also added hand sanitizing stations and dispensers before and after security areas in certain locations, as well as on flights. American is working with Vanderbilt University Medical Center for guidance on health issues and cleaning procedures. Importantly, American is seeking GBAC STAR™ Accreditation from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council to ensure the airline has the proper procedures to respond to biological threats like COVID-19.

Delta

Delta is sanitizing every flight using electrostatic sprayers. The airline is using the same procedure for Reservation Centers, employee work areas, break rooms, lounges, and office spaces. Delta Clean is the airline’s new standard of clean for its airline travel customers. Noticeable additions include hand sanitizer at various touchpoints, and disinfecting surfaces across the airport experience.

United

United CleanPlus℠ is the airline’s joint program with The Clorox Company to redefine all of their cleaning and disinfecting procedures. In addition to working with Clorox, United is also working closely with experts at the Cleveland Clinic for advice on enhancing COVID-19 cleaning and disinfection protocols with a focus on safety for employees and customers.

What Should Employers do About Airline Travel?

Companies should review their current travel policy and relocation program to determine if they are using the best travel tools. RMCs with expertise and experience in travel policies for relocation programs are a valuable resource for policy reviews that will help business travelers and companies respond to airline travel that is subject to change. Companies should schedule a policy review on a regular basis. This will help them learn about the latest features to streamline and enhance reporting and compliance requirements.

Conclusion

Global Mobility Solutions’ team of corporate relocation experts has helped thousands of our clients benchmark their relocation program and incorporate the best travel tools into their business travel policy. Our team can help your company understand how to provide the best travel tools for your traveling employees who must arrange airline travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.

GMS was the first relocation company to register as a “.com.” The company also created the first online interactive tools and calculators, and revolutionized the entire relocation industry. As a result, GMS continues to set the industry pace as the pioneer in innovation and technology solutions with its proprietary MyRelocation® technology platform.

Learn how to incorporate the best travel tools that will help with airline travel changes into your company’s relocation program. Contact our experts online or give us a call at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.

We're Here to Help! Request a Courtesy Consultation

Are you ready to talk to a Mobility Pro? Learn how GMS can optimize your mobility program, enhance your policies to meet today’s unique challenges, receive an in-depth industry benchmark, or simply ask us a question. Your Mobility Pro will be in touch within 1 business day for a no-pressure, courtesy consultation.

Categories
Business Services Choosing a Relocation Company Corporate Relocation Relocation Best Practices Relocation Challenges United States Economy

Post-Pandemic Business Planning: The Importance of Pre-Decision Services

Shot of a mature businessman having a brainstorming session against a glass screen in a modern office

What will your employer’s post-pandemic business planning require? The United States has seen two months of unexpected employment increases, far beyond expectations. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment situation over the past two months reflects:

May 2020 Employment Situation

Nonfarm Payroll Employment Increasing by 2.5 million

Unemployment Rate declining to 13.3%

June 2020 Employment Situation

Nonfarm Payroll Employment Increasing by 4.8 million

Unemployment Rate declining to 11.1%

A Returning Workforce Requires Thoughtful Post-Pandemic Business Planning

Many employers are currently making plans for their returning workforce. They may need to develop new workspace configurations in order to limit COVID-19 issues. They may also need to hire new employees, develop a robust talent acquisition program, or arrange for short term domestic assignments.

Post-pandemic business planning must take into account a variety of issues and factors that many employers have not ever thought of, let alone have expertise in. Operating a business in the aftermath of COVID-19 requires significant measures of research, analysis, and thoughtful approaches to solutions.

Pre-Decision Services Help Employers Understand the Issues of Importance

Employers focusing on talent acquisition as part of their post-pandemic business planning should work with a Relocation Management Company with knowledge and experience in pre-decision services. As the original pioneer of the benefits of pre-decision services, Global Mobility Solutions (GMS) can help employers understand the issues of importance to new hires and transferees. GMS offers a wide range of pre-decision services including candidate assessments that help clients assess the circumstances of prospects who are likely to succeed.

Candidate Assessments Provide Valuable Information for Post-Pandemic Business Planning

Candidate assessments provide valuable information for employers as to the expectations of new hires and transferees. New workspace configurations and requirements should be clearly communicated during the pre-decision phase. Questions and feedback from candidates and transferees will provide a valuable source of input and guidance for an employer’s post-pandemic business planning with respect to COVID-19 planning and hazard reduction efforts. With respect to post-pandemic business planning, pre-decision services provide several benefits for clients by:

  1. Clearly identifying a candidate’s issues, concerns, and questions
  2. Completely eliminating any risk of non-acceptance
  3. Minimizing policy exceptions
  4. Increasing the accuracy of budgets
  5. Providing cost savings for the client
  6. Increasing job acceptance ratios
  7. Streamlining the candidate’s orientation to the new location

How Can GMS Help Your Company’s Post-Pandemic Business Planning?

GMS has the knowledge and experience to help your company understand how to identify issues and learn about useful resources. GMS’s team of domestic relocation experts can help your company learn how to use information gathered during pre-decision services to enhance post-pandemic business planning.

As a result, we can help your company develop robust plans during its post-pandemic phase of operations. This will help maintain your competitive position in the marketplace for highly skilled and qualified talent.

What Should Employers do?

Employers looking to enhance their post-pandemic business planning should work with an experienced and knowledgeable Relocation Management Company (RMC). RMCs are ideal sources for information on corporate relocations, workspace setups, pre-decision services, and many issues specific to each employer’s needs surrounding new hires, transferees, and talent acquisition.

Conclusion

GMS’ team of corporate relocation experts has helped many of our clients determine how to identify specific needs of new hires and transferees through pre-decision services. Our team can help your company determine how to leverage information gathered from new hires and transferees. As a result, this will help your company enhance its business planning process.

GMS was the first relocation company to register as a “.com.” The company also created the first online interactive tools and calculators. This leadership revolutionized the entire relocation industry. GMS continues to set the industry pace as the pioneer in innovation and technology solutions with its proprietary MyRelocation® technology platform.

Learn best practices from Global Mobility Solutions. Our relocation industry and technology experts are dedicated to keeping you informed and connected. Contact our experts online to learn more about how your company can leverage pre-decision services to enhance its post-pandemic business planning, or give us a call at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.

We're Here to Help! Request a Courtesy Consultation

Are you ready to talk to a Mobility Pro? Learn how GMS can optimize your mobility program, enhance your policies to meet today’s unique challenges, receive an in-depth industry benchmark, or simply ask us a question. Your Mobility Pro will be in touch within 1 business day for a no-pressure, courtesy consultation.

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Domestic Relocation Domestic Relocation Challenges Global Mobility Global Relocation Global Relocation Challenges Global Relocation Tips Visas and International Travel

Best Travel Tools for Relocation Programs

Business meeting on the train

Companies should incorporate the best travel tools into their corporate relocation programs. Global Mobility Solutions’ industry benchmarking study shows that only 23% of Relocation Management Companies (RMCs) provide any form of travel tools. GMS is a leader in the relocation industry on this point, providing a full range of useful resources for transferees.

Industry Benchmarking Studies Highlight Best Travel Tools

GMS has recently published several Industry Benchmarking Studies to help companies learn whether their company’s relocation program is designed following industry-specific best practices. There are many benefits to a corporate relocation policy benchmarking. For example, companies can learn whether their relocation program offers the best travel tools as compared to those offered by competitors in their specific industry.

The relocation industry’s best practice is to schedule a relocation program and policy review every 12 to 18 months to ensure your company maintains its competitive position. This review will also help your company learn about the relocation industry’s many solutions to meet ever-increasing client requirements and employee needs.

Five Best Travel Tools for Relocation Programs

There are five best travel tools for relocation programs. All of these tools can be designed to work seamlessly with each client’s travel policy and relocation programs:

1. Compliance to Company Travel Policy

An online travel tool quickly and easily communicates guidelines to employees. Best travel tools for compliance also show specific features and options for each client’s policy. Limits that match policy guidelines should also be shown, to help employees choose the most appropriate options.

2. Tracking Travelers (GPS)

Tracking employee travel is important for several reasons. Companies need to ensure the safety of employees during their travels, so knowing where they are at any given time is extremely valuable. Also, companies need to track the number of days-in-country for reporting requirements.

3. Compliance for Entry, Re-entry, and Taxes

Companies need to track the number of days an employee stays within a country for reporting requirements that may relate to tax issues, or specific work permits. Also, countries may have specific entry/re-entry requirements.

4. Best Travel Tools Bill Direct to Client, or to GMS

Many companies appreciate the option of direct billing. Billing travel costs directly to the client, or to GMS with no markup back to the client, has many benefits:

  • Paperwork reduction
  • Administrative cost reduction
  • Simplified processes
  • Employees don’t need to submit for reimbursements
  • Itemized invoices show all travel expenses

5. Custom Reporting Options

Comprehensive reports that show every element of travel and costs are helpful to clients for managing travel budgets and programs. Reports that are customizable can help measure program effectiveness and readily highlight areas that are out of compliance.

How Can Companies Learn About the Best Travel Tools?

Companies should review their current travel policy and relocation program to determine if they are using the best travel tools. RMCs with expertise and experience in travel policies for relocation programs are a valuable resource for policy reviews. Companies should schedule a policy review on a regular basis to learn about the latest features to streamline and enhance reporting and compliance requirements.

Conclusion

Global Mobility Solutions’ team of corporate relocation experts has helped thousands of our clients benchmark their relocation program and incorporate the best travel tools into their business travel policy. Our team can help your company understand how to provide the best travel tools for your traveling employees.

GMS was the first relocation company to register as a .com. The company also created the first online interactive tools and calculators, and revolutionized the entire relocation industry. GMS continues to set the industry pace as the pioneer in innovation and technology solutions with its proprietary MyRelocation® technology platform.

Learn how to incorporate the best travel tools into your company’s relocation program. Contact our experts online or give us a call at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.

Request your complimentary relocation policy review

Categories
Business Services Domestic Relocation Domestic Relocation Challenges Domestic Relocation Tips Global Mobility Global Relocation Global Relocation Challenges Global Relocation Tips Global Relocation Trends

Travel Guidance: Staying Ahead of the Curve

A multi-generation African-American family sitting together on a park bench on a sunny autumn day. A 10 year old boy is hanging out with his father and his great grandfather.

In the midst of urgent travel guidance from the United States, federal agencies, and other nations, employers should practice due diligence in assisting their employees on assignment. The U.S. Department of State has issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory: Do Not Travel. Even within the United States, additional travel restrictions are arising. For example, the state of Texas has implemented travel restrictions on those who want to enter the state. Several other locations may be considering local restrictions. Many US cities have “shelter-in-place” mandates aiming to protect citizens most at risk during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Employees on Assignment During Travel Guidance

Worldwide ERC® reports that over 13,500 US citizens have requested assistance from the State Department to return to the United States. Such assistance is becoming extremely challenging as airlines reduce their number of flights, and other nations close their borders to travel. Major regions such as the European Union are developing plans to restrict non-essential travel from other countries.

For employers that have employees on assignment in other nations, support and communication are critical. It is possible that some employees may need to remain in place for an extended period of time. Employers should be sure to inform employees on all aspects of their situation. They should also provide as much support as possible, so the employees and their family members can have peace of mind.

Relocation Management Company Resources for Global Assignees

Relocation Management Companies (RMCs) have a wealth of knowledge, experience, and resources to provide assistance for global assignees. GMS recently shared information with its clients to cover many of the issues surrounding travel guidance and how to provide support for global assignees.

Important Points for Employers to Consider for Global Assignees Include:

  • Extending temporary housing for those employees on global assignment who need extra time to determine how to repatriate to their country of origin
  • Extending relocation benefits to allow for more than one year
  • Many clients have initiated a global assignment but are asking their employees to work at the home location for the time being. Clients need to be thoughtful about how this may impact visa and taxation issues. GMS recommends clients consult their tax and immigration provider for support
  • Approving additional tenancy management, home maintenance, and grocery delivery when necessary
  • Since almost all business travel has been restricted, restrict all home leave trips for global assignments as well
  • Due to travel guidance restrictions, offer virtual services such as destination support and settling in services, immigration assessments, and visa country spotlights

What Does This Mean?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, travel guidance is constantly changing. Employers may have global assignees impacted in several ways by various restrictions, border closures, and reduced means of transport. As a result, employers should work to ensure continual and up-to-date communications with employees on global assignment. They should also consider revising several aspects of their relocation and travel policies to ensure employees receive as much support as possible as they try to navigate changing travel guidance, restrictions, and closures.

What Should Employers Do About Travel Guidance?

Employers with global assignees impacted by travel guidance, restrictions on movement, and other issues impacting their mobility should speak with an experienced and knowledgeable RMC. RMCs with established local presences and vast networks of top providers offer valuable insight into how best to communicate issues and resolve difficult situations. They can also provide the necessary resources and support for employees and their family members. Experienced RMCs will be able to offer technology and resources directly, locally, and even virtually as each individual situation requires.

Conclusion

GMS’ team of global relocation experts has helped thousands of our clients understand how to respond to changing travel guidance, border closures, and other issues and restrictions affecting global workforce mobility. Our team can help your company understand how to assist global assignees with virtually any relocation issue. As a result, this will help them and their family members have peace of mind, and be able to focus on their assignments.

GMS was the first relocation company to register as a .com. The company also created the first online interactive tools and calculators, and revolutionized the entire relocation industry. GMS continues to set the industry pace as the pioneer in innovation and technology solutions with its proprietary MyRelocation® technology platform.

Contact our experts online to learn more about how our company can help your global assignees during times of continually changing travel guidance and other restrictions, or give us a call at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.

We're Here to Help! Request a Courtesy Consultation

Are you ready to talk to a Mobility Pro? Learn how GMS can optimize your mobility program, enhance your policies to meet today’s unique challenges, receive an in-depth industry benchmark, or simply ask us a question. Your Mobility Pro will be in touch within 1 business day for a no-pressure, courtesy consultation.

Categories
Domestic Relocation Domestic Relocation Challenges Domestic Relocation Tips Domestic Relocation Trends Global Relocation Global Relocation Challenges Global Relocation Tips Global Relocation Trends

Business Traveler Health Precautions: Best Practice Recommendations

Businessman packing a suitcase

With so many concerns about health issues in the news, organizations should share business traveler health precautions with their employees. Employees who travel for work on a regular basis should have health information that pertains to their specific destinations. Those with health insurance coverage should confirm the processes to follow should a need arise while traveling to international locations.

Current Issues That Require Business Traveler Health Precautions

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publishes a Current Outbreak List with travel notices for international travelers. CDC also maintains a Travelers’ Health Site with a complete list of notices, watches, and warnings that is easy to use and searchable by destination. The Travel Health Notices site is also searchable, and has an extensive amount of information that can be used for business travel health precautions. CDC may note information as:

  • Watch Level 1 (Practice usual precautions)
  • Alert Level 2 (Practice enhanced precautions)
  • Warning Level 3 (Avoid all non-essential travel)

CDC is often on the forefront of infectious disease outbreaks, and over the past two years has responded to over 750 health threats. As a result, CDC is an extremely valuable resource for information that can be used to define business traveler health precautions.

Coronaviruses and COVID-19 in China, Japan, Hong Kong

News media may highlight only a few medical and health issues at one point in time. For example, the recent coronavirus disease, officially named COVID-19, appears to be a new health phenomenon. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) notes that coronaviruses (CoV) are part of a large group of viruses. These types of viruses can cause illnesses such as:

WHO notes several standard recommendations against spreading CoV infections, including:

  • Avoiding contact with others who are coughing and sneezing
  • Covering mouths when coughing
  • Covering noses and mouths when sneezing
  • Frequent washing of hands
  • Thorough preparation and cooking of foods such as eggs and meats

Organizations should share WHO’s standard recommendations against spreading CoV infection as a best practice for business traveler health precautions.

Specific COVID-19 Recommendations

While these standard recommendations will help prevent the spread of CoV infections, WHO has several specific recommendations regarding COVID-19 that should be part of all business traveler health precautions, including:

Upon coughing or sneezing yourself:

  1. Cover nose and mouth to prevent spread of germs and viruses
  2. Discard used tissues immediately into a closed bin
  3. Clean hands with alcohol-based sanitizer or wash hands with soap and water

When around other people:

  1. Keep distance of 3 feet (1 meter) from others
  2. Take notice of those who are sneezing, coughing, or have a fever
  3. Avoid breathing in virus from people who spread droplets when sneezing and coughing

For your personal hygiene:

  1. Avoid touching mucous parts of your body such as nose, mouth, and eyes
  2. Touching these areas may transmit virus from contaminated hands into your body

If you have symptoms (fever, cough, and difficulty breathing) but did not visit China:

  1. Practice basic respiratory hygiene
  2. Practice basic hand hygiene
  3. Remain home until recovery

If you have symptoms (fever, cough, and difficulty breathing) and did visit China yourself, or have been in close proximity to someone who has been to China:

  1. Seek medical care
  2. Tell your doctor and other health care providers your travel history or that of the person you have been in close proximity to

What Should Employers do About Business Traveler Health Precautions?

Employers should share valuable resources with all employees who travel for business reasons. They should also review corporate plans that might need to change due to illness outbreaks. Companies with facilities located in areas impacted by outbreaks should investigate information and prepare for contingencies.

Best practice is to provide a wealth of information and guidance for employees that travel for business purposes. Employers should communicate business traveler health precautions and provide information on processes to follow should health issues arise.

Conclusion

Global Mobility Solutions’ team of global relocation experts has helped thousands of our clients understand how to plan for business travel and related contingencies. We can help your company understand how to develop business traveler health precautions as part of best practice recommendations in your company’s relocation and business travel programs.

GMS was the first relocation company to register as a .com, created the first online interactive tools and calculators, and revolutionized the entire relocation industry. GMS continues to set the industry pace as the pioneer in innovation and technology solutions with its proprietary MyRelocation® technology platform.

Global Mobility Solutions is proud to be named and ranked #1 Overall, and #1 in Quality of Service by HRO Today’s 2019 Baker’s Dozen Customer Satisfaction Survey.

Learn best practice recommendations for business traveler health precautions from Global Mobility Solutions, the relocation industry and technology experts who are dedicated to keeping you informed and connected. Contact our experts online or give us a call at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.

We're Here to Help! Request a Courtesy Consultation

Are you ready to talk to a Mobility Pro? Learn how GMS can optimize your mobility program, enhance your policies to meet today’s unique challenges, receive an in-depth industry benchmark, or simply ask us a question. Your Mobility Pro will be in touch within 1 business day for a no-pressure, courtesy consultation.

Categories
Relocation Programs

Which Travel Tools are the Most Helpful for Relocation Programs?

businessman on plane smiling while speaking to other passengers
Business meeting on the train

Successful companies design their corporate relocation programs to provide a valuable benefit to their relocating employees. To stay competitive in their industry, many companies review their relocation policies on a regular basis and adjust them as needed to meet industry benchmark performance levels. Travel tools and services tailored to meet their transferees’ needs are one area where a company can stay ahead of their competitors.

Our industry benchmarking study shows less than 23% of Relocation Management Companies (RMCs) offer any form of travel tools to clients. Global Mobility Solutions (GMS) is one of the few companies in the relocation industry to provide a full range of travel tools for transferees. We created our range of offerings in response to our client’s needs.

These are the most helpful travel tools for relocation programs:

Direct Billing

The ability to have travel costs direct billed to your organization or to GMS, with zero markup, reduces paperwork and administrative costs. Your employees won’t need to pay for out of pocket expenses or submit for reimbursements, and your company receives an itemized invoice noting all travel expenses, simplifying the process.

Travel Policy Compliance

Travel Policy guidelines within an online travel tool will communicate guidelines to your employees, ensuring compliance. A good travel policy online portal displays the specific options and features for your company’s policy, with limits that reflect your policy’s guidelines.

Entry/Re-entry/Tax Compliance

A good travel tool for companies will keep track of where assignees are located to ensure entry/re-entry compliance as well as the number of days within a country for tax compliance purposes.

Traveler Tracking (GPS)

The ability to track employee travel for safety and days-in-country purposes is a valuable travel tool. Tracking technology using software or log-in functionality can be leveraged to provide valuable travel information.

Comprehensive and Customizable Reporting

A robust reporting capability is an invaluable travel tool. Comprehensive and customizable reports will help you measure the effectiveness of your travel program, and easily find areas in need of further review.

Conclusion

Global Mobility Solutions (GMS) provides clients with a complete, comprehensive travel program, including the ability to book flights, trains, hotels, and cars worldwide, with the industry’s leading range of superior travel tools. Our clients can choose from three different levels of travel services through a tiered travel program.

To learn more about our three different levels of travel services, ask our relocation program experts to explain the benefits of our tiered travel program. We can help your company design an industry-leading travel policy with the travel tools to make your transferee’s experience smooth and easy. Contact us online or give us a call at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.

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15333 N. Pima Road
Scottsdale AZ, 85260

1.800.617.1904 

Available 24/7/365

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Global Mobility Solutions
15333 N. Pima Road
Scottsdale AZ, 85260

1.800.617.1904
Available 24/7/365

About

Contact Us

About Us

GMS Client Login

Privacy Policy

Address

Global Mobility Solutions
15333 N. Pima Road
Scottsdale AZ, 85260

1.800.617.1904
Available 24/7/365

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