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5 minutes readContents
- What is burnout?
- How business trips affect burnout
- How can an employee deal with burnout on a Business trip
- How companies can help
- Things to remember
What is burnout?
The World Health Organization defines burnout as a syndrome arising from chronic workplace stress. It causes a person to feel exhausted and unable to perform their usual tasks, accompanied by emotional detachment from work or a negative attitude towards it.
Various tests can be used to determine whether an employee is experiencing burnout. One of these is the Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT).
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How business trips affect burnout
It’s hard to say if business trips can contribute to employees feeling burnt out. On one hand, business trips have their perks: it’s a break from the office routine, a cool way to visit new cities or countries, and an effective way of connecting with colleagues, particularly for remote workers.
However, there is evidence that business trips can cause negative effects too. A study by the World Travel Protection, published in the International Travel & Health Insurance Journal, found that 46% of British workers report increased stress and burnout due to frequent business trips.
Dr. Neil Slabbert, Regional Chief Medical Officer (Asia-Pacific Region) at World Travel Protection, sums it up: “The survey highlights that some travelers encounter difficulties when they are away from home. Disturbances in daily routine, separation from family and friends, as well as time zone shifts and time differences are all factors that can exacerbate stress and anxiety.”
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How can an employee deal with burnout on a business trip
Avoid meetings on the first day of the trip
When employees reach their destination, it’s recommended that the rest of the day be set aside for rest. Danielle Sabrina, the founder and CEO of the public-relations firm Society22, shares her experience with Business Insider: “My secret to striking the perfect balance while on a business trip is to put rest and nutrition first, rather than a hectic schedule. Choosing a more relaxed approach, I often arrive the day before my meetings, thus ensuring a good night’s sleep.”
Take 1-2 days off after the business trip
This is particularly true for employees who regularly travel across multiple time zones or whose business trips take place over the weekends. Natalie Norfus, the founder of the independent human-resources company The Norfus Firm, shares her advice in Business Insider: “If an employee has been on a weeklong business trip, the company should mandate a minimum of one or two days of rest. This policy allows employees to recover and reduce the cumulative stress of travel.”
Take advantage of bleisure opportunities
Bleisure (short for business and leisure) is a type of business trip that mixes work with some leisure time. With their boss’s approval, employees can stay in the city where they’re on a business trip for an extra day or two to walk around, check out the cool spots, or just chill out in a spa. New travel experiences are a great way to recharge and feel like you’re getting something personal out of a business trip.
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How companies can help
Plan the number and frequency of trips in advance
This can be set out in the company’s travel policy, i.e., the internal set of rules for organizing business trips. For example, limit the number of trips an employee must take each month or quarter. It is crucial to assess the necessity of each trip and consider alternatives, e.g., video conferencing.
Clearly define the goals and objectives of the business trip.
Employees should be aware of the purpose of their business trip and the outcomes expected of them. Unnecessary business trips can negatively affect employee well-being and lead to burnout.
To allow employees to choose tickets and hotels themselves.
If the company’s travel policy permits, employees should be given the option to choose the flights and accommodation that best suit their routine and expectations. This allows employees to find the most convenient travel and accommodation options and provides a sense of control over their work priorities.
When planning a business trip, it’s important that the company uses specialized online portals and platforms to search for and book tickets, hotels, and transfers in one place to ensure smooth trips from start to finish. The Roundtrip platform is a one-stop shop for all your travel and accommodation needs. It has a user-friendly interface similar to B2C aggregators, while offering lower rates.
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Things to remember
- Burnout is a syndrome that occurs as a result of chronic stress in the workplace. It causes employees to feel exhausted or develop a negative attitude towards their work.
- Well-planned business trips may help overcome burnout at work, as employees gain new experiences and the opportunity to shake up their routine. However, if business trips are too frequent and tiresome, they can exacerbate stress and cause exhaustion.
- To reduce the risk of burnout associated with business trips, consider avoiding meetings on the first day of the trip, taking 1-2 days of vacation after returning, or combining your business trip with leisure activities.
- Companies can also help their employees cope with burnout during business trips. For example, they can plan the acceptable number and frequency of trips in advance, clearly define the goals and objectives of the trip, and allow employees to choose suitable tickets and hotels themselves.
We wish our valued business travelers smooth and stress-free trips, and offer continued support to travel managers to provide peace of mind when booking travel services. Roundtrip, a service for organizing hassle-free business trips, is here to help. We’re here as your personal business trip curator and offer our 24/7 support services for any additional reassurance.
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