Global Crisis, Risk, and Workforce Management Strategies: Integrated Duty of Care for Global Operations

Overview

This episode examines the integrated strategy needed to keep people safe globally through comprehensive duty of care, synthesizing legal frameworks, international standards, and real-world operational blueprints to provide actionable strategies for safeguarding employees across complex global operations.

Learning Objectives

After completing this episode, participants will be able to:

1. Explain the legal foundation of duty of care including the UK's Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Corporate Manslaughter Act 2007, and extraterritorial application principles
2. Articulate the business case for proactive duty of care including reputation protection, productivity enhancement, and risk mitigation
3. Apply the ISO 31030 international travel risk management standard including its four-step implementation process and critical success factors
4. Navigate privacy and ethical considerations including GDPR compliance, diversity and inclusion in risk management, and accumulation risk management
5. Implement the TAP Pipeline crisis management blueprint including the four overriding priorities, foundational principles, and three-tier organizational response structure
6. Utilize PESTIL analysis for strategic crisis planning across political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal factors
7. Assess medical evacuation and emergency response requirements including next-of-kin notification and high-risk environment threats
8. Integrate Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) systems including scalable intervention strategies and remote work considerations

Key Takeaways

1. Legal liability is expanding globally: Western countries consistently holding home employers accountable for overseas incidents

1. Duty of care is fiduciary responsibility: Not optional but fundamental legal and business obligation

1. Prevention far outweighs costs: Proactive investment in duty of care provides significant business advantages

1. ISO 31030 provides international framework: 70-country recognized standard for travel risk management

1. Privacy and ethics must be balanced: GDPR compliance while maintaining safety through location awareness

1. Diversity considerations are critical: Different people face different risks requiring tailored approaches

1. TAP blueprint demonstrates effective crisis management: Clear priorities, principles, and three-tier structure

1. PESTIL analysis enables strategic planning: Looking 48-72 hours ahead during crisis response

1. Contractor management requires clear protocols: Primacy rules and media control essential

1. Medical evacuation capabilities are life-saving: External assistance providers critical for global operations

1. Administrative failures have severe consequences: Basic tracking and communication failures can be catastrophic

1. MHPSS is essential, not optional: Mental health support increasingly recognized as critical protection

1. Scalable interventions are possible: Evidence-based models can be delivered by trained non-specialists

1. Remote work complicates wellbeing support: Digital solutions and cultural change needed

1. Integrated approach is essential: Legal, structural, and holistic elements must work together