Balancing work and personal life has benefits for both employees and companies – it promotes productivity, engagement and improves physical and mental health. The phenomenon of “bleisure” travel (the combination of business and leisure travel) is on the rise. And it’s a reality that makes more and more sense for corporate travelers and their organizations, who are supporting this way of traveling as well. Employee well-being is another important factor that contributes significantly to this habit.
A recent Skift survey of business travelers highlights the growth of “bleisure.” More than two-thirds of business travelers plan to combine work and leisure travel in the next year, according to the report. In addition, 58% of leaders say they actively encourage their employees to do the same as it is a good way to attract and retain talent, especially for certain generations. Hilton Worldwide’s 2024 Trends Report shows that 24% of global corporate travelers plan to take a friend or family member on a business trip this year. Within this number, more than a third of Generation Z and Millennials are likely to extend their travels for fun.
And it is clear that taking advantage of the need for corporate mobility to add leisure travel increasingly fits into the post-pandemic work environment, where working remotely is another practice widely used by Generation Z.
Therefore, below we present 9 points that should be considered in the travel policies of companies that have already made “Bleisure” official:
- It is essential to objectively define when each part of the trip begins and ends: professional and personal. The company must provide employees with a clear understanding of the travel policy before planning the trip.
- Involve the organization’s senior leadership: HR, Legal, Finance and Compliance, before including “Bleisure” in the company’s travel policy, in order to cover all fronts involving this topic.
- Check the company’s obligations and responsibilities regarding the employee’s leisure activities during the trip.
- Some corporations define positions eligible for “Bleisure” and disclose this decision in their travel policy.
- The policy should be very clear about travel expenses. It is crucial to establish the rules on what is covered by the company and what is the employee’s cost.
- Also provide for procedures for when a business trip is canceled. Include a clause exempting the company from liability for all expenses and personal activities that the employee plans during the particular period of the trip. The employee needs to be aware of the risks involved in reconciling professional and personal needs.
- Consider establishing the rules for Travel Insurance.
- Weigh the possibilities and risks of damage to the corporate reputation, especially if there are situations involving travel with suppliers and/or strategic partners.
- Each organization has its own view of “Bleisure”, on what constitutes work and what type of activity is considered leisure during a trip. Adapting the travel policy to the company culture will help define some rules and procedures. Transparent communication is essential throughout the process of updating the rules, and especially efficient dissemination to the company’s entire internal travel audience, so that everyone is aware of their rights and responsibilities and to avoid any misunderstandings.
The corporate environment must keep up with the evolution of human behavior in order to remain developed and up-to-date. Therefore, we believe that the practice of “Bleisure” is a favorable resource for balance, promoting increased productivity and professional well-being.
At TP Corporate, we are committed to helping our clients implement travel policies that meet their specific needs and that can promote a healthy and efficient work culture. Contact us to learn more about how we can support your company on this journey.
