Escaping employment danger zones.

• Position: Business Travel - Overseas employment

Whether you have been assigned to work overseas, are traveling to another country for business, or are sending your child on a semester abroad, you should have an exit strategy if an emergency occurs, says former White House attorney Mary Anne Thompson, founder of Going Global, Mobile, Ala., a provider of country-specific employment information.

Many overseas workers suddenly found themselves caught in the middle of Japan's powerful earthquake, along with its aftershocks and resulting tsunami, and are facing the threat of radiation exposure. (There are 2,200,000 foreigners, including a good number of Americans, currently living and working in Japan.) In the Middle East, meanwhile, there is political unrest in Egypt and Libya. This not only has caused food and gas shortages, but Americans working there face a variety of dangers.

As businesses expand into new global markets, 10% of employees who are sent abroad from the U.S. are assigned to countries that are considered dangerous or have harsh living conditions.

"While employment in a foreign country can be a dream come true, anyone working outside their native soil should be prepared for a hasty departure--even if they are working in countries that are considered 'safe,'" advises Thompson. "Your first step should be to register with the appropriate embassy and consulate and regularly update your contact information. This will assure you will be notified and continually updated by the State Department in the event of a disaster or crisis in your host country."

Employers with overseas...