Dec. 22, 2008

Human Resources Report

Importance of Taking Precautions for Overseas Operations Underscored by Mumbai Attacks

In the wake of the November terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, that killed at least 160 people, U.S. multinational companies may be more aware than ever of the need to protect their workers in other countries – both physically and psychologically.

“We have been very busy” since the attacks, Paul Kohlenbrener, vice president of Global Development at international employee assistance program provider ComPsych, told BNA. The Chicago-based company has coverage in Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi and other cities, as well as a network of counselors throughout India. ComPsych has 11,000 corporate clients in 92 countries.

Kohlenbrener said the Mumbai attacks underscore the need for companies to have a system in place before trouble occurs, including a hotline for employees to call in the case of an emergency – to let employers know they are safe or so that companies can get them help. More and more global companies are being proactive, setting up EAPs before a crisis occurs, Kohlenbrener said.

“The goal of a company is to have a highly efficient and productive workforce,” Kohlenbrener said. “Anything that takes away from that, especially a very difficult situation such as terrorism, as you can imagine, can reduce efficiency,” he said, not just during the time of the event “but quite frankly on an ongoing basis.”

Kohlenbrener told BNA he has not seen companies planning to downsize operations in India because of what happened in Mumbai. Rather, he said, employers are trying to do a better job managing and minimizing risk.