The highest risk level to the global workforce has reached an all-time high since 2016 based on the International SOS Risk Outlook 2021. Based on the Business Resilience Trends Survey of over 1,400 risk professionals from 99 countries, the outlook also brings together insights from the Workforce Resilience Council and extensive International SOS proprietary data.
International SOS Top 5 Risk Outlook 2021 Predictions
- Ecopolitical turbulence will exacerbate tensions, civil unrest, and crime.
- Pandemic borne crisis management teams will redefine Duty of Care practices.
- The growing infodemic will increase demand for trusted sources of health & security information and advice.
- Mental health issues will be a primary productivity disruptor.
- Singular focus on Covid-19 will create risk blind spots.
Unsurprisingly, around eight in ten risk professionals believe the health and security risks faced by the workforce increased in 2020 (specifically for “domestic employees” (85%), “assignees” (81%), “student and faculty” (80%), “business travelers” (79%) and “remote workers” (77%)). Around half believe that this will increase further in 2021, a concern most acutely felt in Asia, especially among those responsible for assignees (60%) and business travelers (60%).
The respondents from the USA were most likely to report an increase in risk (91%). This is alongside a degradation in trust in local governments & health bodies; seen as a key challenge for a third (31%) of risk professionals surveyed – most acutely felt in the Americas (40%).
For business travelers alone, the statistics follow a low in 2018 (47%), and the previous high in 2016 (72%), when terror attacks in locations previously considered safe may have been front of mind.
According to Dr. Neil Nerwich, Group Medical Director at International SOS, “The Covid-19 pandemic has created a tripartite of crises, with public health, geopolitical and economic crises all impacting the workforce and business on a global scale. This has been exacerbated by an infodemic in an increasingly complex world environment. While the news of a potential vaccine is very positive and resources, including our Covid-19 website content and assistance services with Covid-19 evacuation capability, are providing direction and support, organizations will need to go through an evolution in their Duty of Care provisions. Just as 9/11 changed the way that employers saw their Duty of Care with respect to security issues, so the pandemic is destined to have a lasting change to employer approach to employee health threats.”
Productivity Gap 2021
The majority of risk professionals surveyed feel that infectious disease (including Covid-19, Malaria, Dengue, Ebola, Zika, etc.) will cause a decrease in employee productivity in the next year, and 1 in 3 respondents (apart from those responsible for Students and Faculty) are anticipating mental health issues to also contribute. This rises to 43% among those responsible for Students and Faculty surveyed. However, in stark contrast, the Workforce Resilience Council experts predict that mental health issues will overtake Covid-19 next year.
Other risks also fell greatly behind as a concern for many of the respondents, including country risk rating, transport concerns, and security threats. Those responsible for business travelers surveyed cited ‘geopolitical threats’ (30%), ‘civil unrest’ (25%), and ‘security threats’ (32%) notably less than last year (52%, 52%, and 68% respectively).
Mick Sharp, Group Director Security Services at International SOS, said, “The findings have uncovered a disconnect and a potential business threatening level of Covid-19 myopia. Security issues have been exacerbated by the pandemic, particularly in relation to civil unrest and political protest. This has been driven by both Covid-related opportunism and existing divisions. Similarly, crime levels have increased in some locations, noting we are only at the beginning of the socio-economic and psychological fallout of the Covid-19 crisis.
It is understandable that, to varying degrees, the general population and business are more focused on the demands and application of Covid-related precautions. However, perennial security and safety issues have not abated, graphically illustrated by the recent terror attacks in Vienna among others. Similarly, responding to high impact threats such as Natural Disasters has gained another layer of complexity due to Covid-19 medical considerations and fluid travel restrictions.
Evacuations Risk
Mick Sharp continues, “The need for evacuations, including for those with acute medical needs and often involving complex security considerations has accelerated greatly. Logistically difficult, requiring a high level of expertise, and impactful to the bottom line, organizations that haven’t had logistical support in place have found themselves and their employees exposed.”
Nearly a third of risk professionals surveyed (28%) cited the ability to evacuate employees when necessary as a challenge in ensuring their health & security. This is felt most acutely by respondents supporting assignees (39%) and those based in Africa & the Middle East, and Japan (37% respectively).
73% of risk professionals surveyed predict that Covid-19 medical reasons will be the most likely cause of evacuation next year.
- This increases to 80% for respondents based in Asia.
- 1 in 3 (31%) of those surveyed cite border closure, this rises to 40% for respondents in Australia and 50% in Singapore.
- While a fifth (21%) of all respondents think that natural disasters are the most likely cause, this rises to 34% of respondents in the USA and 36% of respondents in Japan.
- And Security threats continue to be important in Africa & the Middle East, where 37% of respondents think these would cause evacuation next year, notably higher than other regions (25% overall). As reflected on the International SOS Security risk map, over 55% of countries in Africa are now fully or partially in high or extreme security risk level, which increases this year militancy or insurgency.
Top 5 Operational Challenges
The survey also uncovered the gaps where organizations may struggle operationally in providing the necessary health and security protection to all their employees, with the top five challenges:
Top Mentions
| Having adequate resources to deal with COVID-19 | 54% |
| Access to accurate & timely information on health & security threats | 40% |
| Educating employees about risks | 35% |
| Dealing with mental health issues | 33% |
| Communicating during a crisis | 33% |
The Risk Outlook 2021 will be presented online on 10 December 2020 (you may register here to attend).