Business Travel Wellness:
The Fine Line Between Care and Overindulgence
Today's corporate travel programmes aim to support traveller wellbeing fully. From tools to manage jet lag across time zones to healthy food options, companies have shifted focus from simply moving corporate travellers from point A to B to prioritising holistic wellness. But in embracing wellness to make travellers feel supported, a key question emerges: Could some initiatives go too far?
The rise of overindulgence for road warriors
A recent white paper on business travel wellness sheds light on the evolution of corporate travel programmes. While wellness initiatives started as genuine efforts to help frequent business travellers stay healthy and happy, there's concern the pendulum has swung too far towards overindulgence.
Bonnie Smith, GM FCM, notes, "While it's essential to prioritise the wellbeing of our employees, we must find a balance. It's about ensuring comfort without compromising the essence of work."
The challenge of striking a balance of business travel wellness
The crux of the matter is finding the right equilibrium. While initiatives that genuinely prioritise mental and physical health for business trips are indispensable, there's a danger of blurring the lines between work and leisure too much.
Take, for instance, the introduction of 'nap pods' and 'paw-some offices' (where pets are welcome). While Gen Z might take a day off for mental health without batting an eyelid, Baby Boomers would likely scoff at the very idea. While these perks can enhance the work environment for some, for others, especially those from older generations, they might seem unnecessary or even distracting.
The business travel wellbeing white paper reveals that while younger employees might appreciate such perks, older generations might find them superfluous, thus underscoring the challenge businesses face in crafting travel policies that cater to a diverse workforce.
Optimising trips for frequent business travellers
For frequent flyers, balance is critical. Research shows two in five rank the trip itself, including long hours in hotel rooms, as the most stressful part of business travel. Companies must ensure wellness initiatives reduce traveller friction and improve the travel experience, boosting productivity and traveller wellbeing. This is why managing “traveller friction” – the stress of frequent business travel – is top of mind for travel managers.
And, honestly speaking, it needs to pay for the business, too. A study conducted by Harvard shows that for every dollar invested in a wellness programme, companies shave off R40 in absenteeism costs. This isn't merely a positive outcome; it's a robust 6-to-1 return on investment.
So how can businesses reap the benefits of business travel wellness for the bottom line and their most important asset - the people?
Bonnie Smith emphasises, "In the realm of business travel, wellness is not about luxury. It's about creating an environment where employees can perform at their best, even when they're miles away from home."
The business travel wellness white paper highlights several practical initiatives that businesses can introduce, including:
Flexible Itineraries
Allowing employees a window of flexibility in their travel schedules. The white paper suggests allowing a 24-hour window for employees to choose their departure and return. For instance, an employee might choose a daytime flight to avoid arriving disoriented at night.
Accommodation Standards
Hotel rooms are a biggie. Ensure you book comfortable stays that meet specific criteria. Noisy accommodation is always a no-no; check with your road warriors and conduct regular audits.
Health-focused Amenities
Prioritising accommodations with gyms, wellness centres, and options for eating healthily. Making sure your employees know where to hit the treadmill (if that keeps them sane), even in Timbuktu, will go a long way.
Mental Health Support
Providing access to mental wellbeing apps and resources is especially crucial for those dealing with the stresses of travel.
It’s All about Personalisation
There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to wellness and traveller wellbeing. Neither is there for a business trip. It starts with knowing your employees. One may want to know where to hit the treadmill to work off the jetlag, while another may need a later start to the next day's meeting.
Mental Health is Number One
Consider recommending mental wellbeing apps offering quick relaxation techniques or counselling. A manager feeling overwhelmed during an overseas conference can quickly access a 10-minute guided relaxation session.
The Right Carry-on
Ensure your travellers have items like ergonomic neck pillows and laptop stands.
Breaks Between Trips
Ensure there are sufficient breaks between business trips. If an employee travels for over five consecutive days, they get a minimum two-day break before the next trip.
Hello Bleisure
Adopt a "Business+Leisure Balance" clause. For every three business days travelled, allow half a day for leisure.
It’s clear the world of business travel wellness is rapidly evolving. While it's crucial to ensure the wellbeing of travelling employees, companies must strike the right balance, ensuring that the core objective of the trip isn't lost in a sea of perks. Remember, it's not just about perks; it's about people. And finding that sweet spot will not only help your employees stay healthy on the road but will also keep your business humming.
As businesses navigate this new landscape, the words of Bonnie Smith resonate deeply: "Business travel, at its heart, is about achieving objectives. As we introduce wellness initiatives, we must ensure they serve this core purpose, enhancing the journey without overshadowing the destination."