Bleisure travel is becoming increasingly popular, allowing professionals to combine business with leisure seamlessly. By incorporating leisure into business trips, employees can enjoy a better work-life balance, increasing satisfaction, productivity, and loyalty.
Incorporating bleisure options into corporate travel policies also serves as a competitive advantage for companies aiming to attract and retain top talent. A 2023 report from Reed & Mackay’s parent company, Navan, shows a remarkable 76% year-on-year increase in bleisure travel, with projections of explosive growth over the next decade.
As more professionals seek to maximise travel experiences, it becomes essential for HR teams and executives to implement well-crafted bleisure policies. These policies must align employee benefits with fiscal responsibility to the company, ensuring a system supporting the organisation’s financial objectives and employee well-being.
This article will explore the benefits of bleisure travel and key considerations before integrating it into your company’s travel policy.
What is a bleisure travel policy?
A bleisure travel policy is a section within a company’s corporate travel guidelines that outlines the rules for combining leisure activities with business trips. It acknowledges that employees may wish to explore a destination before or after fulfilling their work obligations. The policy sets clear boundaries for how personal and professional travel can be blended, ensuring that leisure activities are balanced with business responsibilities while keeping the company’s interests in mind.
How companies can benefit from bleisure travel
1. Enhances employee well-being and loyalty
In the current competitive employment landscape, companies need to attract and keep top talent. Implementing a bleisure travel policy signals to employees that the organisation cares about their well-being and supports their work-life balance.
Recent research reveals:
- 89% of business travellers are interested in incorporating leisure into their upcoming trips.
- 76% have already merged business with leisure travel.
- 44% have declined work-related trips due to insufficient leisure options at the destination.
By facilitating a seamless blend of leisure activities with business obligations, companies empower their employees to create enjoyable travel experiences. This not only enhances overall job satisfaction but also contributes to higher retention rates, promoting a stable and committed workforce.
2. Encourages creativity and innovation in the workplace
2. Encourages creativity and innovation in the workplace CEOs often identify creativity as a crucial skill for new hires, and studies indicate that engaging in diverse and novel experiences, like those encountered during travel, can stimulate innovative thinking.
Travel serves as a powerful source of inspiration and new viewpoints. By promoting bleisure travel, companies can encourage employees to explore unfamiliar destinations and immerse themselves in various cultures, fostering an atmosphere that enhances creativity.
The insights and experiences gained during such trips can lead to innovative ideas and approaches, injecting enthusiasm and curiosity into employees’ work. This infusion of fresh perspectives can catalyse breakthroughs, allowing your organisation to thrive in today’s fast-paced business environment.
3. Promoting a healthier work-life integration
In an era where the lines between work and personal life are increasingly blurred, it’s vital to prioritise work-life integration. A bleisure travel policy recognizes the need for employees to focus on their well-being while still fulfilling their job duties.
Business travellers have expressed a strong connection between travel, well-being, and work-life balance. Recent surveys reveal that:
- 55% plan to engage in more bleisure travel to enhance their work-life integration.
- 78% feel that adding leisure days significantly increases the value of their work trips.
- 73% believe that bleisure opportunities positively affect their roles as employees.
By encouraging staff to take personal time during business trips, companies can cultivate a healthier workplace culture, leading to reduced stress levels and burnout.
4. Highlighting a progressive company culture
Incorporating leisure travel options into a company’s travel policy goes beyond simply enhancing employee satisfaction; it also establishes your organisation as a pioneering force in today’s workplace.
By endorsing bleisure travel, companies send a strong message that they are innovative and willing to break away from conventional practices. This approach can serve as a crucial differentiator in attracting top talent, especially among younger professionals who value experiences and work-life balance.
Implementing a bleisure travel policy positions your company as an employer of choice, appealing to ambitious individuals looking for a well-rounded approach to their careers.
5. Cost-effective travel solutions for companies
Incorporating leisure time into business trips can lead to considerable cost savings for organisations. When employees extend their travel, they often take advantage of cheaper flight options, as airfare prices typically spike on busy travel days, especially at the beginning of the week.
Travelling on less popular days can result in significant savings. Furthermore, 82% of bleisure travellers opt to stay at the same hotel for both the business and leisure portions of their trips, promoting more cost-effective accommodation choices.
Beyond these immediate savings, there are less quantifiable benefits that can positively affect a company’s bottom line. Overworked employees tend to experience fatigue, stress, and health issues, which can increase healthcare costs and employee turnover. Studies suggest that replacing a salaried employee can cost a company the equivalent of six to nine months’ salary.
Ultimately, allowing employees to extend their trips not only enhances their experience but also delivers additional value to organisations without incurring extra costs.
Key elements to consider for business travel policies
A well-defined corporate travel policy should specify the guidelines for incorporating leisure extensions. This clarity is essential for helping employees understand their responsibilities regarding business-related expenses and expected conduct during their travels. Additionally, it serves to reduce potential liability and risks for the organisation.
To be effective, a leisure travel policy should include the following essential components:
1. Objective and coverage
Start by outlining the purpose of the policy, specifying its aim to allow employees the opportunity to add leisure time to their business trips. Clearly state that the policy governs employees’ travel activities outside of their work-related commitments.
This section should also define the limits of the policy’s coverage, such as which trips it applies to, the types of leisure activities allowed, and the responsibilities of both the employee and the company during the leisure portion of the trip. Providing this clarity ensures the policy is aligned with company goals while addressing employee needs.
2. Eligibility and leave allocation
Establish who is entitled to participate in bleisure travel and clarify the amount of leave allocated for leisure activities. This section should specify eligibility requirements, such as employee rank, tenure, or department, to ensure the policy is applied fairly. It should also detail the number of leisure days available, whether these are separate from standard vacation time, and how they are granted.
Providing clear criteria helps employees understand their options while allowing companies to maintain consistency and control over their travel policies.
3. Approval process
Provide a comprehensive guide for obtaining managerial approval for leisure extensions on business trips. This should cover the necessary steps, including timelines for submitting requests and any required documentation. Make sure to clarify whether the employee needs to use paid time off (PTO), such as vacation or personal leave, for the leisure portion of their trip.
Clearly defining these procedures ensures transparency and prevents misunderstandings, helping employees plan their travel efficiently while staying compliant with company policies.
4. Pre-travel risk evaluation
Conducting a thorough risk assessment before travel is essential, especially when evaluating whether a destination is suitable for bleisure activities. Providing employees with important details about a location’s political stability, healthcare infrastructure, and crime rates equips them with the information they need to make informed, safety-conscious decisions.
This proactive approach allows employees to assess potential risks and ensures their well-being during both the business and leisure portions of their trip.
5. Safety and security guidelines
Developing specific safety and security guidelines for bleisure travel is essential. These protocols should outline how employees can evaluate the safety of their leisure activities and offer advice on avoiding potentially risky situations. Ensure that employees are well-informed about staying safe during their free time and provide them with access to emergency contact information and incident response procedures.
Encouraging employees to prioritise their safety while travelling and empowering them with clear guidelines can help prevent accidents or misunderstandings, contributing to a smoother and safer travel experience for all.
6. Expense allocation policies
Establishing clear guidelines for expense allocation is essential to define how costs will be divided between the organisation and its employees. This includes specifying which aspects of transportation and accommodation expenses will be covered by the employer and which will be the responsibility of the employee.
By communicating these guidelines effectively, companies can eliminate confusion and ensure that all employees are aware of their financial obligations. This clarity not only helps in maintaining a harmonious relationship between the employer and employees but also promotes accountability during travel. A well-defined expense allocation policy can lead to more transparent budgeting and ultimately contribute to a more positive travel experience.
7. Reimbursement and documentation
Implementing a clear reimbursement process is essential for employees during bleisure travel. This process should detail the necessary documentation, such as receipts and itineraries, and establish timelines for submission.
Additionally, outlining the approval methods will streamline reimbursements. By setting clear expectations for accurate reporting and diligent recordkeeping, companies can maintain compliance with internal guidelines and external auditing standards.
This structured approach not only safeguards organisational finances but also promotes accountability and transparency among employees, ultimately enhancing overall operational efficiency.
8. Prohibited conduct during bleisure travel
It’s essential to clearly define actions that are strictly prohibited during bleisure travel to protect both employees and the company’s reputation. Such restrictions should encompass behaviours like illegal drug use and any activities that could tarnish the company’s image.
Employees must understand that engaging in risky or unethical conduct, such as excessive drinking, reckless behaviour, or interactions that could be perceived as inappropriate, can have serious consequences.
9. Blackout periods
Establish specific timeframes when leisure extensions may be limited or unavailable due to high-demand business periods or critical project deadlines. These blackout periods ensure that employees remain focused on essential work responsibilities during peak times, maintaining operational efficiency and meeting client expectations.
By clearly communicating these restrictions, companies can help employees plan their travel effectively while balancing work commitments with personal time. This approach minimises disruption and reinforces the importance of prioritising business objectives when necessary.
10. Implementing effective auditing practices
To ensure adherence to policies and prevent the misuse of company funds, it’s important to establish a robust expense auditing process. This should include routine evaluations of expense reports to verify compliance with the established guidelines.
Regular audits not only promote accountability among employees but also help identify any discrepancies or patterns that could indicate misuse, allowing companies to take proactive measures to address potential issues.
Go bleisure bound with Holiday Tours
Go bleisure bound with Holiday Tours At Holiday Tours, we understand that every company has distinct needs, and your bleisure travel policy should be no different. By working with a dedicated team of experts, you can design a policy that perfectly aligns with your business goals while offering employees the flexibility to combine work and leisure.
From optimising cost savings to ensuring employee safety, having a well-crafted policy allows your organisation to unlock the full potential of bleisure travel while maintaining a balance that protects both employees and the company.
LEARN MORE ABOUT BLEISURE TRAVEL. REACH OUT TO US AT +603 2303 9100 (PRESS 3) OR [email protected]
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