Business travel is a normal occurrence for many companies. Whether employees need to fly overseas to meet clients or travel to the next state to haggle with manufacturers, there are numerous reasons why businesses require trips. However, this doesn’t always mean the travel is easy or enjoyable.
In fact, a recent study found that more than half of Gen Z business travelers found trips stressful. For you, as a company owner, this should be considered a considerable issue. After all, if employees are stressed when going on business trips, this could impact their work or even cause them to find another job elsewhere.
If you want to make business travel easier for your employees, follow the three methods detailed below.
Establish a Clear Travel Policy
Planning a business trip can be confusing if you are left to your own devices, and this is why companies should create travel policies. Employees need to have clear guidelines on how much they can spend, the correct safety protocols, and so on. All of this information should be provided in the business travel policy.
A business travel policy basically provides a framework for compliant and consistent travel arrangements, which will reduce misunderstandings and possible problems. It should offer guidelines on booking procedures, duty of care, and expense management, but you must ensure this is tailored to your company’s culture and employee needs.
When you are creating this policy, you must ensure it is written in clear language and can be accessed easily. As changes occur within the business, and in travel, the travel policy will need to be updated accordingly.
Improve the Travel Experience
For some employees, the prospect of business travel is not enjoyable. They might dread the additional stress that this situation will bring, and this can eventually lead to larger problems developing in the workplace. If you want to avoid disappointed sighs or sudden sick days, then you should ensure the travel experience is a positive one.
While having a list of discounted hotels can ease some of the planning, you might want to go the extra mile for your employees. This could mean seeking out private transportation to and from the airport. For example, if your business is based in Los Angeles, you might hire Executive Car Service LAX to drive the employee from the office or their home to the airport. Your employee will not need to worry about traffic and parking if you do this.
Alternatively, you might want to utilize technology to ease some of the stress that business travel can cause. This could be as simple as ensuring all company cellphones are fitted with travel apps to receive instant notifications about gate changes, flight delays, and other travel disruptions. Or, if your company uses artificial intelligence, you might use this to optimize the travel process.
Prioritize Employee Wellbeing
Although the travel process should be simpler by implementing the above tips, a company should still work to better their employees’ wellbeing during travel. The business travel experience should be comfortable, safe, and well-supported to ensure employees have a positive impression and want to go on future trips. This will have an effect on the way they work in the long run.
To ensure your employee’s wellbeing is cared for during business travel, you must provide them with high-quality and flexible travel options. It is also vital to guarantee access to credible wellness resources and support throughout their trip. This might even include access to healthcare providers, mental health support, and travel insurance.
Additionally, the employees must have regular contact with either yourself or a superior in the company. Contact should be available 24/7 throughout the business trip, particularly in the case of issues arising. This will allow updates to be given from both sides.
To conclude, a business trip can be a difficult experience if the correct planning and resources are missing. If you want your employees to enjoy business trips, then you must follow the tips outlined in this post.
