Bumping this one as (the politics apart) I'm still wondering how this might be affecting members and their working colleagues in Qatar.

In reply to Steve Bridger:

Thanks Steve, I'd still like to know how others are managing through this change in Qatar while in and out of Qatar.

It's been a couple of weeks now and its affecting employees who are demobilising and moblising in and out of Doha in the sense that shipping their containers are proving difficult; some families are still without their containers and have no idea when they will receive them as they sit in the UAE. Food is fine, different Turkish brands but it's giving Qatar a chance to really grow their own products and expand their ranges; availability of Cow's milk is still touch and go! Travel around the region is a lot more expensive and time consuming, and of course, for those who are not on British passports they won't be able to get into the UAE. Thus far recruitment has been ok for our business, people still want to come to Qatar; likewise we do not have a flood of resignations either. Security level remains the same which is the key concern to the whole political situation.

In reply to Steve Bridger:

Hi Nicola

Assume your colleagues keep referring to

www.gov.uk/.../qatar

It was / probably is usual that UK nationals who are long term resident in potentially risky and volatile places register themselves with the British Embassy - so that they know how many people would need to be kept safe / evacuated if the worst happened and how to contact each of them. Of course, if a bunch of them work together in one place, it makes that job easier,

In reply to David:

Thank you, David

I had a meeting with our Embassy and they advised they no longer ask British residents to register with them, instead British expats need to keep an eye on their social media for the latest updates rather than phone or come into the Embassy.

In terms of an evacuation the Embassy in Qatar will not be responsible but instead the company they work for.

I thought our embassy would assist but I am glad we had a meeting with them so we can make sure as a company our evacuation plans exclude the embassy in the process.

In reply to Nicola:

Interesting, Nicola - such is 'progress'..,,..

Hi Nicola

Thank you for sharing.

Our company sends employees to an area described on gov.uk as travel is essential only! Quite how this is interpreted is debatable! I have a difficult conversation coming up about this and factors to consider, appreciate other peoples experiences.

Glenys

In reply to Glenys:

Glenys

In my experience there are different factors involved in employees being willing to visit difficult locations. Firstly is what they signed up for and secondly the level of security/support in country. The company that I work for (Oil and Gas Drilling) by its very nature works in some 'Essential travel' only locations. We mitigate risk by having well defined travel protocols in place with local security arrangements. We also subscribe to Control Risks (more detailed reports than Gov.UK) and get security assessments and updates. We also have a well defined crisis management system and would evacuate employees if needed.

However, in my opinion, if it is a new work location then I do not think that you can compel the employee to visit. You can add in hardship pay to make the assignment more attractive. If visiting or working in difficult counties is part of the job role, then the employee should be willing to work where requested.

John