The benefits & challenges of bleisure
Bleisure—the attractive combo of business and leisure travel, isn’t just passing us by. It's sticking around. In fact, eight out of ten FCM customers now indicate that they add leisure travel to their work trips. So, should your company follow suit? Possibly, but you probably want to understand the good and the bad before deciding.
The benefits
Employees
Work life balance
Work-life balance isn’t a new thing, and 2020 really showed people that it's important. If bleisure travel can do anything, its offer employees an opportunity to achieve this. For many business travellers moving around the country or world, the lack of routine and downtime can take its toll. Allowing employees to opt-in for bleisure can help them recharge from the stresses of work and life in general.
Job satisfaction
Happy employees are the best kind of employees. When people like their job and the company they work for, they tend to stick around and do great things. Bleisure travel can make a work trip way more exciting, and that extra incentive can boost morale and keep people motivated.
Cost savings
Who doesn’t love saving a few dollars? With bleisure, travellers can make the most of those company-paid flights and hotels, enjoying some leisure time at a destination without coughing up extra cash for travel. Companies usually cover the work-related costs, while employees chip in for their holiday extras or upgrades. The flexibility of also already being at a destination can help employees avoid peak travel times, potentially reducing travel costs even further.
Empowerment & trust
Allowing employees to blend business with leisure demonstrates trust and respect for their personal time. Business trips can be pretty demanding and stressful at times, having a little light at the end of the tunnel in the form of holiday time can really give people something to look forward to.
Employers
Staff retention & reduce stress
Flexibility and recognition are key factors in employee retention, and bleisure aligns with these values by accommodating longer stays and personal downtime within work trips. Employees who feel valued and supported are more likely to stay with a company long-term, reducing turnover, and those unplanned recruitment costs.
Improved image & brand
Supporting bleisure says to the world that your company is progressive and employee focused. This image can attract potential employees who value companies offering more than a standard work experience, including those #WorkPerks. The best candidates are generally looking for more than just a paycheck—they want a workplace that offers flexibility and respect for their personal time.
Less annual leave bulking
By incorporating bleisure into your travel policy, businesses can reduce employee’s habits of hoarding excessive annual leave. Employees often return from bleisure trips feeling refreshed and energised, leading to increased productivity, and less need for extended leave in the immediate future.
Potential red flags
Travel insurance
Bleisure can complicate insurance coverage. Some insurers may offer policies that cover both business and leisure components, while others may require separate coverage for leisure activities. Make sure you and your employees know what’s covered. The last thing you want or need is any surprises if they decide to jump on the back of a scooter or hit the slopes.
Legal & safety
The line between business and leisure travel can blur, raising concerns about employee safety and legal responsibilities. This means accessing travel advice, updating risk assessments, and changing emergency plans to include the whole duration of the trip, not just the work parts.
Expenses
Who pays for what can get confusing. While companies typically cover business-related expenses, employees foot the bill for any additional costs related to leisure activities. Establishing boundaries and clear guidelines can help avoid confusion and ensure fairness.
Visas
If employees are extending their trips, make sure their visas cover the whole stay. Nothing like getting stuck halfway across the world with visa issues because someone wanted to add a few extra days. Double-check those dates to keep things smooth.
Travel policy and compliance
Bleisure means updating your travel policies. New rules and guidelines will need to be clearly set and communicated. It’s about setting boundaries for work and play, so everyone’s on the same page.
Who pays for what
Flights
Companies usually cover the cost of flights to and from the destination. This normally accounts for about 80% of the core travel expenses, of course making bleisure travel super appealing. If employees want to stay longer or stop off somewhere on the way home, they’ll usually need to cover those costs themselves. Sometimes, if the timing of their return is less convenient, they might have to pitch in a bit more. But in most cases, businesses pick up the tab for the major travel needs.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance can get a bit tricky. Some business policies don’t cover leisure activities, so employees might need to get their own insurance for the fun parts of their trip and if their family is tacking along for the ride. For domestic travel within Australia, insurance for medical expenses isn’t usually necessary unless it’s a cruise. International travel might require separate insurance if the company’s plan doesn’t cover personal time or family. It’s wise for both parties to double-check what’s covered to avoid any unwanted surprises.
Accommodation & meals
Here’s where it gets a little more straightforward. Businesses cover the hotel accommodation and meals directly related to work. If employees extend their stay for leisure or bring a partner along, they’re responsible for these additional costs. This includes extra hotel nights, upgraded rooms, dining and drinks, and ground transport. Make sure business travellers are aware of their spending limits and what’s covered or not to skip those awkward denied reimbursement convos.
Bleisure can be a great employee perk and a smart move for any business. It’s all about balancing responsibility with flexibility. With the right travel policies and a bit of planning upfront, bleisure can turn business trips into something everyone looks forward to.