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It’s not just the change in the weather that’s different. There’s a sense of optimism in the air, as we enter a new time in the post-pandemic world. Ever since the start of the global pandemic, business travel rules have changed, and with it, so have many company travel policy documents. 

Whether you’re revising, updating, or crafting your company travel policy, there’s a few valuable points to consider. After all, putting colleagues safety and wellbeing front and centre of your travel policy will help to mitigate problems and demonstrate your credentials as a forward-thinking and caring company. At a time when it’s an applicant’s market, keeping staff happy and engaged will serve you well. 

So then, let’s dive straight in: 

 

Remote working practices 

As we learn to ‘live with Covid’ and the ever-changing rules, it’s important to be aligned with government guidelines and be clear about company expectations. This includes providing guidance around how to access testing kits, vaccine requirements, and entitlement around paid-leave. Speaking of business travel rules, colleagues will also benefit from quick access to government links both on a local and international level for working remotely. 

 

Testing positive for Covid-19 

Whether you were planning to review your business travel policy or not, it will definitely need to be updated to include guidelines around testing for Covid-19, as part of your overall duty of care. 

This ought to offer clear advice around the following: 

  • Identifying symptoms of Covid-19.
  • Company policy on self-isolation (at home and whilst working remotely).
  • Who to notify in the event of a positive test.
  • Healthcare guidance, especially in relation to any corporate private healthcare.
  • Informing those who they might have come into contact with.
  • Expectations around quarantine in relation to the workplace (office or remotely).
  • Extending or cancelling accommodation in relation to a positive result.

 

Sharing space 

While some companies are adopting a ‘business as usual’ stance, others have taken the time to review certain parts of their travel policy. Specifically, considerations around car sharing, room sharing and travelling with colleagues. In an industry report by Deloitte, they express that domestic travel has become ‘safer and easier’ but corporate travel in general is still anywhere between 60-80% of its previous number, so this is something that needs to be given its due consideration. 

 

Hybrid working 

In the world of post-covid travel, colleagues also expect clarity around hybrid working. In recent months, we’ve seen an increase in remote working demands, forcing organisations to rethink working practices. Even if your team is on business travel to another region or office, what are the rules around going into the office, or logging on outside of work hours? Your revised corporate travel policy is the perfect place to update this.  

 

Easy approvals 

It has never been more important to simplify the business travel rules for colleagues, allowing them to make and cancel bookings with the flexibility they need. However, contrary to this, the Deloitte report suggests that even more red tape is in place, adding to the challenges that colleagues face. 

If you aren’t already using a self-service booking system like Roomex, now is a good time to consider introducing one. Not only does it speed up the process for colleagues, but it can deliver great cost and time savings to the company too. 

 

Business travel vs Workforce travel 

On that note, have you considered distinguishing between business travel and workforce travel? It’s a theme that some companies have been forced to consider, in line with reduced budgets, as well as looking after employee wellbeing. Finding the right balance and communicating the difference between necessary workforce travel and travel that might not be as vital, can help provide more clarity to your teams. 

Thoughts to consider in post-covid travel are: 

  • Is business travel necessary, or could this meeting/event be conducted remotely?
  • Does the trip align with the current business priorities?
  • Will this trip impact on the bottom line, or have any commercial impact?
  • Is this trip valuable for training or relationship building?

 

Business travel checklist one-pager 

Finally and with all the above points considered, it’s a great idea to produce a one-pager checklist for colleagues on post-covid travel rules. 

This should inform them on; important points to consider prior to travel, useful contact numbers for emergencies whilst travelling, details of travel insurance contacts, how to make or cancel transport and accommodation, health access while working remotely and important safety guidelines from vaccines to mask wearing. 

This one-pager should dovetail into your updated business travel policy and be easily accessible to all colleagues on your intranet or somewhere similar. 

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Sophia Walker
Post by Sophia Walker
April 14, 2022
Sophia Walker is a freelance content writer with a passion for travel, wellbeing and storytelling. With over 15 years’ experience in the industry, her work has been published extensively in print and online. This includes The Huffington Post and various corporate websites and blogs. Sophia is often found in far-flung destinations, when not in her native home of London.

 

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