Business travel can take a toll on employees’ physical and mental health, yet a recent State of the Market Survey from Flight Centre Travel Group reveals that only 36% of companies consider traveller wellbeing a top priority. This highlights the importance of SMEs aligning their travel policies with practices which support the mental as well as physical wellness of their staff on the road.
To help address this, Flight Centre Travel Group’s flagship SME business travel company, Corporate Traveller, has released its top tips for business owners and frequent travellers, offering practical ways to protect and enhance traveller mental and physical wellbeing during business trips.
Donna Joines UK Managing director, Corporate Traveller, states:
“For most SMEs, business trips are a non-negotiable part of their operations, as they grow, innovate, and expand into new market.”
“We have seen business travel really rebound over the past year, and this pace is not likely to slow down. This makes it more important that businesses take a look at their mental and physical wellbeing of their employees while they are on the road.”
“Over the years, I’ve seen some great initiatives integrated into the workplace that support mental well-being but there is more to be done for businesses to enhance their travel policy to support their staff while on the go.”
It is estimated that in the UK every year, 18.5 million days of work are lost due to poor mental health. Employers are responsible for ensuring their employees’ safety and well-being, especially while travelling.
In some old travel policies, hotels and flights were all about maximising employee productivity rather than employee wellbeing. It’s high time to change this. To keep employees happy, productive, and loyal, you need to take a balanced approach. It’s time to ask the right questions regarding traveler wellness”, added Joines.
Donna’s top tips for prioritising your wellbeing when travelling for business are useful for anyone who manages travel for their employees or is a frequent traveller themselves.
1. Update travel policies by prioritising flexible travel schedules
Allow employees to be flexible with their travel schedules. This includes the option of early arrivals or longer stays to avoid red eye flights and minimise fatigue. Stress and sleep disturbances can be caused by rigid travel schedules that are only focused on cost savings. This has a negative impact on both physical and mental wellbeing. Flexible travel schedules can help employees feel more productive and rested during business trips.
2. Select partners that focus their wellness
As part of your travel policy, ensure that the accommodations are wellness-friendly. This includes hotel partnerships with fitness centers or proximity to green areas for relaxation. As part of your travel policy, provide access to wellness options like gyms, mindfulness apps, or fitness classes.
These facilities may seem simple, but they can help reduce the stress and fatigue caused by long flights, jet-lag, and work-related travel. They also promote better health.
3. It is important to maintain a balance between work and life
Bleisure is on the rise. Employees add holiday time to their schedules before or after trips to work to avoid having to return to an overflowing inbox. Bringing along family members can also help frequent travelers feel more connected. Implementing policies to restrict work communications after-hours or to allow employees to take recovery time post-trip can help to support work-life harmony and ensure employees remain energised while traveling.
4. Wellness at offsites, events and other venues
If your company is planning an offsite conference, team session or meeting, consider integrating wellness activities into the schedule. Companies are partnering with wellness-focused hotels or destinations, taking offsite meetings, team workshops, and strategy sessions to places designed for recharging. Think of massages, adventure sports, healthy meals and movement as a way to seamlessly integrate traditional business sessions.
5. Remind employees to stay healthy while on the road
It is important that companies actively communicate and engage their employees in this dialogue. There are certain choices that travellers should make to stay healthy while travelling. Tips such as eating balanced meals, limiting caffeine and alcohol, prioritising exercise and building healthy pre-travel routines so you are prepared and well rested before a trip, are all helpful lifestyle reminders for employees who find themselves on the road a lot.
