Achieving Business Traveler Wellbeing
If you've ever traveled for work, you've probably experienced some stressful situations:
- Booking flights, trains, and hotels.
- Rushing to catch transportation. Having meals at irregular times.
- Traveling to another continent and dealing with jet lag during the first few hours.
- Facing flight cancellations and not knowing what to do.
And on top of it all, it's not even a leisure trip; you're there to work. So, it's no wonder that business trips can be stressful. Just as employees prefer to work in a comfortable chair, with a quality desk, good natural light, and plants that bring life to the office, business travelers also want to feel comfortable during their journeys. That's why, in this article from FCM Travel, we'll discuss how to achieve the wellbeing of business travelers, its benefits, tips for taking care of mental health during these trips, and some aspects of duty of care in business travel. Let's dive in!
Benefits of Business Traveler Wellbeing
Until recently, business travel was primarily about going, working, and returning to your place of residence. However, there is a growing trend to incorporate moments of wellbeing during business travel to strike a balance between work and personal wellness. Why shouldn't you be able to enjoy a relaxing bath before an important meeting or savor a healthy breakfast at your hotel during a business trip?
For companies, managing business travel with a focus on the wellbeing of their employees is an investment, as it encourages long-term employee retention due to the positive impact on their well-being. According to FCM Travel's whitepaper "From green juices to yoga breaks: Has business travel’s wellness trend gone overboard?" here are some benefits of business traveler wellbeing:
-
Fewer illnesses: Healthy employees reduce the likelihood of diseases like diabetes, cancer, or heart problems.
-
Fewer sick leaves: The number of sick leaves due to health reasons decreases, and their duration is shorter.
-
Enhanced creativity: Increased happiness at work leads to greater creativity, emphasizing the importance of mental health in business.
-
Improved teamwork: Content employees collaborate more effectively with their teams.
-
Longer careers within the company: The optimism and resilience gained from business travel experiences encourage long-term loyalty to the company.
Tips for taking Care of Mental Health During Business Travel
As mentioned earlier, achieving the wellbeing of business travelers can be quite challenging, as these experiences are often very stressful. Here are some tips to take care of their mental health during these trips:
-
Adequate planning: Organize the trip well in advance to avoid last-minute stress. Booking flights and accommodations early is crucial to avoid unpleasant surprises.
-
Set boundaries: Learn to say no when necessary. Overloading yourself with meetings and commitments makes it challenging to find time for rest and self-care.
-
Maintain a routine: Consistency can help reduce stress, so try to stick to a schedule similar to your everyday life, including sleep, meals, and exercise.
-
Exercise regularly: Even a short walk can help release endorphins, improving mood and reducing stress.
-
Eat healthily: Opt for healthier meal options to maintain energy and stable mood while traveling.
-
Get enough rest: Adequate sleep keeps you alert and focused during the day. If jet lag is a concern, try to gradually adjust to the new time zone before your trip.
-
Meditation and relaxation: Dedicate time to relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga to maintain a calm mindset and reduce stress.
-
Stay connected: Regularly communicating with loved ones while away provides emotional support and reduces feelings of isolation.
-
Stress management: Develop strategies to cope with stress, such as deep breathing, positive visualization, or mindfulness. These techniques can help maintain composure in stressful situations.
There definitely are many tips you can apply to promote the wellbeing of business travelers from a mental health perspective. It's important to note that not all these tips need to be implemented simultaneously; each traveler may need specific strategies based on their personality.
Duty of care in Business Travel
Duty of care in business travel refers to the responsibility companies have to ensure the safety, wellbeing, and health of their employees while they are traveling for work. Here are some key aspects of duty of care in business travel:
-
Risk assessment: Assess risks associated with the destinations where your employees are traveling, such as political stability, security conditions, health risks, and natural disasters.
-
Information and preparation: Provide detailed information to employees about the destination, including safety tips, local culture insights, and guidelines on staying safe during the trip.
-
Emergency assistance: Establish clear procedures to assist employees in case of emergencies, such as roadside assistance, travel medical insurance, and 24-hour emergency contacts.
-
Effective communication: Set up clear and accessible communication channels so employees can report their location and status at any time.
-
Clear policies: Define guidelines for transportation, accommodation, permissible activities, and other aspects related to business travel.
-
Monitoring and review: Regularly review and update duty of care policies and procedures to ensure they align with changing conditions in various destinations.
Furthermore, duty of care in business travel not only contributes to the wellbeing of business travelers but can also have legal implications if a company fails to fulfill its duty of care, resulting in harm or injuries to an employee during a business trip.
To conclude...
We hope that it's clear how you can contribute to the well-being of your business travelers and that these tips help your employees feel more satisfied in the company they work for.