This is according to a new survey by global medical, security and travel risk management services provider Collinson that was conducted just before the Covid-19 pandemic and found that 51 per cent of employees whose employer has invested in medical and security assistance to support them aren’t sure what it means or offers.

It’s great to see so many employers have signed up to medical and security assistance services for their employees

The survey unearthed further travel assistance ambiguity, with 15 per cent of business travellers saying that their work might provide such a programme it but they’re not sure, and over one-tenth (12 per cent) admitting that they wouldn’t know as they don’t understand what medical and security assistance is.

The good news is that three-quarters of employees feel their employer cares about their physical wellbeing when asking them to go on business trips, and has invested accordingly. But, unfortunately, only one-fifth said they were confident using their 24/7 medical and security assistance in the event of something going wrong while abroad.

Scott Sunderman, Head of Assistance at Collinson, said: “It’s great to see so many employers have signed up to medical and security assistance services for their employees – and probably even more, given so many were uncertain if they had them or not. But something needs to be done for staff to realise the full potential of these services, such as better communication with travellers on what they entail, what they’re entitled to and how to tailor solutions to their own needs. Business travellers especially will be looking to their employers and travel providers to guarantee they’re fully supported when business travel picks up again post Covid-19 and, for many, that support is there – they just need to know how to use it.”