Achieving a work/life balance within a managed travel programme

It is estimated that a third of the global workforce travels on business. As business travellers, they are vulnerable to common work-related stress factors such as heavy workloads and rapid-changing schedules.

They are also subject to factors unique to business travel; protracted absence from home and family, jet lag, poor sleep and diet. And yet, when companies try to reduce travel spend, it is usually the traveller who suffers the consequences.

Traditionally the impact of those stress factors on business travellers have not been discussed. But as business travel volumes increase, so too does the risk, propelling workplace mental health to the top of corporate agendas.

Further research has uncovered a worrying rise in risky behaviours amongst international business travellers. 76% of business travellers are less likely to have a balanced diet or exercise and 73% don’t get enough sleep. A similar number work longer hours while away from home.^[2]

Then there’s the issue of safety. Almost half of business travellers would consider not travelling abroad on business if it took them to an unsafe location^[3], although less than half of travel programmes include a risk management solution^[4]. This is why travel managers are having to reassess their programmes to incorporate adequate safety measures to traveller wellbeing initiatives.

Some teach employees how to recognise stress factors in their lives and deal with them in a calm and effective way; others deploy formalised Employee Wellbeing programmes to reduce stress levels through healthy eating and exercise.

Confidential counselling for employees to discuss a range of issues, from general stress at work to problems at home and pre-placement medical assessments prior to travelling are further examples of the steps being taken.

However, these support networks are not available in every global region. For example, counselling is not readily available in some Asian countries, while mental health problems are stigmatised in others, so employers in the region have work to do if the balance is to be redressed.

Here are some suggestions and tips:

1. Consider whether your travel policy will support the objectives of the trip. 87% of travelers feel that the quality of their business travel impacts their business results, so spending a little extra can make a big impact.

2. If a trip is to a tradeshow or conferences, allow the traveller to stay as close to the venue as possible - even if it is more expensive.

3. Make sure your travellers are supported both before, during and after their trip by keeping them informed of any fight delays, disruptions or anything that, with advance warning, means extra stress is avoided. Your TMC should be able to provide traveller tracking and alert tools.

4. Daily exercise reduces stress, increases blood-flow, and helps travellers stay productive, so make sure your travellers can exercise while away by using hotel fitness centres or healthy menus.

5. Help and encourage travellers to maintain the same daily routine, even when away from home. This will give them a sense of home and encourage them to look after their own well-being.

6. Allow travellers to schedule some downtime to keep them productive – especially after the trip is over.

7. Provide advice on dietary choice and how eating the right things can enhance mental and physical performance.

8. Give your employees ways to destress – consider allowing an employee to return home early if circumstances allow.

9. When a traveller returns from a long-haul flight, write into the travel policy that they can work from home the following day.