Business Travelers Face Anxiety and Uncertainty in a Post-Pandemic World
Corporate travel has experienced significant disruptions in recent years, coming to a standstill during the pandemic and transitioning to virtual meetings as companies prioritized health and safety. While there are signs of recovery on the horizon with projected growth in the sector, a new study reveals that most business travelers have mixed feelings about returning to the road. The challenge lies in the lack of guidance and support provided to navigate travel in a post-pandemic world.
A survey conducted by Opinium and commissioned by World Travel Protection sheds light on the concerns of business travelers. Only one-third of respondents expressed happiness about traveling for work again. The majority reported increased worries about their health and well-being while traveling, leading to heightened stress, exhaustion, homesickness, and anxiety.
The transformation of the global travel landscape has introduced a range of new threats that contribute to the anxiety experienced by business travelers. Geopolitical conflicts, rising discrimination against certain communities, advancements in technology like artificial intelligence, and the impact of climate change have all left their mark on the travel industry. Natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and wildfires have become more frequent, triggering additional concerns.
Moreover, staffing shortages in the travel industry have exacerbated the challenges faced by business travelers. Flight delays, itinerary disruptions, and other inconveniences caused by the shortage of personnel further contribute to employees’ aversion to travel.
Women, in particular, face heightened anxiety when traveling for work. Nearly 70% of business travelers recognize that traveling as a woman is less safe compared to traveling as a man. Additionally, approximately 25% of all business travelers, both men and women, express a preference for avoiding countries where women’s rights are not adequately protected.
The increasing prevalence of homophobic rhetoric, hate speech, and discriminatory legislation worldwide has also led to heightened anxiety among LGBTQIA+ employees. They not only face the threat of danger and harassment but may also feel compelled to hide their sexuality or gender expression to avoid potential repercussions.
Despite these evident risks and anxieties, few companies provide their employees with the necessary education and information to prepare and protect them. Less than 30% of employees reported receiving practical advice while traveling, such as emergency contacts or guidelines for dealing with incidents. Furthermore, only a small majority of business travelers believe their companies would be able to assist them in the event of an emergency or personal crisis while abroad.
The lack of adequate support leaves business travelers feeling uncertain and often resorting to personal initiatives for their safety. The survey highlighted that nearly half of the business travelers ensure their family members or colleagues know their whereabouts at all times, while around a quarter avoid venturing out alone after dark. Some even admit to placing obstacles in front of their hotel room doors as a precaution against break-ins.
Employers have a duty of care to protect their employees from reasonably foreseeable risks, which includes safeguarding their mental well-being alongside their physical health and safety. Failure to fulfill this responsibility can expose companies to legal and reputational consequences.
The pandemic has exacerbated social isolation and deteriorating mental health among travelers, compounded by the overall stresses of travel in recent years. After spending extensive time working remotely from the comfort of their homes, adjusting to the current volatile, complex, and unpredictable travel landscape presents inevitable challenges.
It falls upon employers to take a proactive approach to travel safety, supporting and addressing the mental health needs of their employees while they are away. By doing so, businesses can reduce anxiety and stress in their workforce, enabling employees to travel safely and confidently in the post-COVID world.
In conclusion, the return of business travel brings with it a mix of emotions for corporate travelers, who often face uncertainty and anxiety in a post-pandemic world. Employers must prioritize the mental health and well-being of their employees through proactive measures and proper support. Only by doing so can businesses ensure their employees travel safely and confidently, despite the evolving risks and challenges of the travel landscape in the years ahead.
