New Survey Explores the Connection Between Work Trips, Anxiety, and Employee Well-being
As World Mental Health Day comes and goes, new research is shedding light on a pressing issue in the business world: the mental health impact of frequent business travel. A survey commissioned by World Travel Protection reveals the delicate balance UK business travellers must maintain between professional success and their well-being.
The Benefits and Challenges of Business Travel
The survey, conducted by Opinium, underscores the ongoing importance of business travel in the UK’s corporate sector. Nearly two-thirds of respondents (66%) believe that in-person meetings are crucial for building long-term business relationships, and almost half (47%) said that the opportunity to travel for work increases their loyalty to their employer. For many, business travel is not only a professional necessity but also a key motivator for staying with an organisation.
However, the other side of the coin reveals significant mental health challenges. Nearly half (46%) of business travellers reported experiencing increased stress and burnout from frequent trips, with this figure rising to 53% for those who travel at least once every two months. This suggests that while business travel supports professional growth, it often comes at a personal cost.
Mental Health Challenges on the Road
The survey highlights the mental health struggles that many business travellers face. A fifth (21%) of respondents reported feeling stressed, with others citing exhaustion (20%), homesickness (19%), anxiety (18%) and loneliness (13%). Younger travellers, aged 18-34, were particularly affected, with 21% reporting feelings of loneliness.
Despite these challenges, many business travellers feel that their mental health needs are not adequately addressed by their employers. Two-fifths (40%) of respondents said their organisation does not take their well-being seriously when travelling, and nearly half (45%) expressed a desire for their employer to check in on them more frequently during business trips.
Yet, despite this clear need, only 27% of U.S. and 30% of Canadian travellers report that their employer provides regular check-ins to ensure their well-being.
Supporting Employee Well-being on Business Trips
Although the survey reveals gaps in support, it also highlights a positive trend: 61% of business travellers believe their organisation would be supportive if they were struggling with their mental health on a trip. However, this support is often reactive rather than proactive.
Dr Neil Slabbert, Regional Chief Medical Officer (Asia-Pacific) at World Travel Protection, stresses the need for organisations to take a more comprehensive approach to supporting business travellers. “Disruptions to routines, physical distance from support systems like family and friends, as well as jet lag and time zone differences, can worsen stress and anxiety. Organisations need to factor in both physical safety and mental health when considering the support they provide to travelling employees,” he says.
Dr Slabbert adds that some companies are now allowing ‘bleisure’ (business combined with leisure) as a way to help employees decompress and mitigate some of the stress that comes with work travel.
The Role of Travel Risk Management in Mental Health
In a world where travel is essential to business success, travel risk management companies such as World Travel Protection play a vital role in supporting corporate travellers. By providing pre-trip medical and security intelligence, these companies help organisations set clear expectations for their employees and reduce risks before they leave the country.
“Having peace of mind about your safety when abroad can play a big part in how confident you feel when you’re working,” says Dr Slabbert. World Travel Protection offers 24/7 global support, ensuring that business travellers have access to qualified medical and security professionals whenever they need it. This comprehensive approach ensures that organisations can support their employees’ physical and mental well-being while they are on the road.
World Mental Health Day: A Timely Reminder
Now is an ideal time for businesses to reassess how they can better support their frequent travellers. By taking a proactive approach that addresses both mental health and physical safety, organisations can ensure that their business travellers remain effective in their roles without compromising their well-being
The survey from World Travel Protection highlights the growing need for businesses to take the mental health of their travelling employees seriously. By investing in employee well-being, organisations not only support their people but also ensure a more resilient, engaged workforce-ultimately driving success for both individuals and the company.
Find out how we can help you travel safely
Whether you or your staff are travelling to major events around the world, your requirements might go further than these important safety tips. World Travel Protection is a 24/7 travel and medical assistance provider that helps support its customers when medical, travel and security emergencies arise. Our Travel Risk Management Solutions help provide travellers with all the support they need pre- and during travel via our portal, app, and in-house experts. Fill out the form below to find out more.
