Business workers U.S. are pursuing all kinds of risky behavior when on work-related trips, creating liability and reputational issues for their employers across the board, On Call International determined in a new survey.

The survey of over 1,000 business travelers found: 27 percent of respondents admitted to binge drinking while on work-related trips, and 11 percent acknowledged they picked up a stranger at a bar while traveling for their jobs.

Broken down, 33 percent of men said they binge drink while business traveling, and 24 percent of women did the same.

About 14 percent of male survey respondents said they partook in promiscuous behavior while traveling for work, picking up a stranger; 8 percent of women said they had done the same thing.

On Call noted that the survey results reveal all sorts of liabilities for individuals. Executives and workers who engage in the risky behaviors risk car accidents, falls, burns, drownings, sexual assaults, alcohol poisoning, sexually transmitted diseases and more. Employers also admitted to lying about their activities while on work trips and even being detained by law enforcement officials.

As well, employee productivity can nosedive in the face of risky behavior, and employers become vulnerable to lawsuits, On Call noted, arguing that employers should set strong guidelines to reduce employee risk while on the road.

“While responsibility ultimately falls on the business traveler to act in a responsible and safe manner, employers need to be proactive by setting appropriate parameters and being clear about the expectations it has of its employees while they are out representing the organization,” On Call Chief Security Officer Jim Hutton said in prepared remarks.

On Call International, a company that provides custom travel risk management services, recommended that employers create travel risk management programs and crisis management plans to mitigate legal, financial and reputational risks that could be caused by irresponsible employees.

Source: On Call International