Why Your Business Travel Policy Should Include 'Bleisure' Options
In the modern workplace, business travel has evolved beyond mere work trips. It has transformed into an opportunity for employees to combine business responsibilities with leisure activities—or, as the term now goes, “bleisure.” A well-crafted business travel policy with bleisure options can lead to a more satisfied workforce, reduce stress, and even improve productivity. Let’s explore why it’s becoming crucial for businesses to embrace this trend.
The Rise of Bleisure Travel
Bleisure travel isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a growing trend in the corporate world. According to a recent survey by Expedia, more than 60% of business travelers extended their trips in 2023 to enjoy some eisure time. Adding leisure to work-related travel helps employees create a better work-life balance, something increasingly important to today’s workforce.
Bleisure also offers an effective way for companies to support employee well-being without significant additional costs. When employees can take advantage of their trips for leisure, they often feel more valued and less stressed. This trend is particularly relevant in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has shifted the focus of many companies towards employee well-being.
Why Businesses Should Embrace Bleisure
1. Boost Employee Satisfaction and Retention
Offering bleisure options as part of your corporate travel policy can positively impact workforce happiness. A Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) survey found that 37% of North American business travelers extended their work trips for leisure. While specific percentages on job satisfaction related to bleisure vary, it’s evident that employees appreciate the flexibility to blend work and leisure. Happier employees are more likely to stay with your company, reducing turnover and associated hiring costs. Learn how companies are successfully incorporating bleisure to boost employee retention.
2. Increased Productivity
A refreshed mind works better. Enabling employees to take a break after a hectic week of meetings or conferences can improve productivity. Including bleisure in your work travel regulations can, therefore, have lasting positive effects on employee performance.
Current Trends and How to Integrate Bleisure into Your Travel Policy
1. Flexibility in Travel Dates
One of the easiest ways to integrate bleisure into a travel regulations is to offer flexibility in travel dates. For instance, instead of mandating that employees return right after a meeting or event, allow an extra day or two for personal exploration. It makes travel feel less rushed and allows employees to immerse themselves in a new environment.
2. Travel Expense Coverage Limits
Bleisure trips don’t have to be a financial burden on companies. Many businesses now define clear boundaries on what can be expensed by distinguishing between business-related and personal expenses. Employees can be encouraged to cover their leisure days while benefiting from discounted rates negotiated by the company. Companies like SoftTech have adopted this approach, where employees use the company’s discounted hotel rates for personal use at their own expense—a win-win for both parties. Explore how other companies are setting coverage limits for bleisure travel here.
3. Encourage Weekend Stays
Another way to make bleisure feasible is to encourage employees to stay through the weekend, particularly if the business trip ends on a Friday. Data from Concur shows that adding a Saturday night stay can sometimes reduce airfare costs, benefiting both the company and the traveler. In these cases, both sides can benefit—employees get some personal time, and companies save on travel costs. Discover more about how weekend stays can optimize travel budgets here.
4. Leveraging Technology for Travel Customization
Companies are increasingly using technology to streamline workcation. Platforms like Navan and Dyme Travel allow employees to blend their leisure and business bookings easily. Such tools can help maintain clear boundaries on what is reimbursable while providing a seamless experience for travelers who want to customize their itineraries.
Case Studies: Companies Successfully Implementing Bleisure
Salesforce
Salesforce, a global leader in customer relationship management solutions, encourages work-life balance by offering flexibility in their travel regulations. Employees can extend business trips for personal leisure, subject to managerial approval and adherence to expense guidelines. This approach has contributed to high employee happiness and has been positively received by the workforce.
Deloitte
Deloitte, a multinational professional services network, allows employees to combine business and leisure travel, provided that the employee covers personal expenses. By offering this flexibility, Deloitte supports employee well-being and acknowledges the importance of work-life integration, which has benefited talent retention.
Industry Insights and Expert Opinions
Experts in the corporate travel industry suggest incorporating bleisure options into a travel regulations can create a more holistic experience for employees. The freedom to unwind and explore helps them be more focused when they return to work. The growing trend of mixing business with pleasure is no longer considered a perk but an essential part of employee welfare initiatives.
Moreover, studies indicate that Millennial and Gen Z employees value experiences more than material perks. Offering them a chance to explore new destinations can be a more effective incentive than traditional bonuses. Companies that cater to these preferences are better positioned to attract and retain talent.
Explore how Dyme compensates emissions from business travel.
Practical Steps to Create a Bleisure-Friendly Policy
1. Clear Policy Guidelines
It’s essential to outline what the company will cover and what is considered a personal expense. For example, business-related meals and accommodations can be covered, while extra days for leisure would be out-of-pocket for the employee.
2. Define Approval Processes
Make sure there is an easy approval process for bleisure trips. Having a clear policy for managers to approve or deny bleisure add-ons ensures no confusion and standardizes expectations across the company.
3. Destination Selection
Consider selecting bleisure-friendly destinations for conferences and events. Cities offering a wide range of leisure activities or cultural experiences—like New York, Paris, or Tokyo—are more appealing to employees wanting to extend their stay.
Pitfalls to Be Aware Of
While bleisure travel offers numerous benefits, it is not without its challenges.
1. Blurred Lines Between Work and Leisure
One of the main challenges with workcation is distinguishing between work and personal time. This can lead to complications in determining which expenses are reimbursable and which are not. Employees might also feel pressured to be available for work during their leisure time, which could reduce the intended stress relief benefits.
2. Liability Issues
When employees extend their trips for leisure, companies may face liability concerns if an incident occurs during the personal portion of the trip. It is essential for companies to clearly outline what is covered under their travel insurance and what falls outside of their responsibility.
3. Cost Management
Although bleisure can be a cost-effective way to boost workforce happiness, managing the additional costs can be complex. Companies must establish clear guidelines for expense coverage, which can be tricky, especially when leisure activities are blended with business travel.
4. Potential for Abuse
There is also the risk that some employees may take advantage of bleisure policies, leading to high costs or unnecessary travel extensions. A well-defined approval process and guidelines can help mitigate this risk, ensuring that bleisure is used appropriately.
5. Legal Issues
Legal considerations like visa requirements, tax implications, and insurance coverage can complicate bleisure travel. Companies must ensure employees understand visa regulations for leisure extensions, consult tax professionals for liability concerns, and clarify insurance coverage to avoid gaps during leisure travel days.
Future Implications: What Lies Ahead for Bleisure Travel?
The concept of bleisure is here to stay. As we move further into a post-pandemic world, companies will likely emphasize employee well-being more. Bleisure offers a practical way to address productivity and well-being, catering to a workforce that increasingly values experience and work-life flexibility.
Travel technologies will continue to evolve, making it easier for companies to integrate bleisure into their work travel policies. Platforms like Dyme and others will likely play an essential role in helping companies customize bleisure-friendly options while compensating the environmental impact of travel.
Offering bleisure also signals a company’s dedication to employee well-being, which will likely become a significant consideration for talent acquisition. By promoting a travel regulations that values experience and flexibility, companies can build a positive employer brand that stands out.
Why Dyme?
At Dyme, we are revolutionizing work travel by making it more sustainable and employee-friendly. Our platform helps companies compensate for the emissions from every trip booked by investing directly in renewable energy projects and enhances the travel experience for employees.
Seamless Bleisure Travel Integration
Dyme’s platform allows companies to extend their preferred rates for leisure travel, making it easier than ever for employees to combine business and leisure trips. Employees can effortlessly add leisure days to their business itineraries without the hassle of separate bookings or higher costs by providing discounted rates on hotels, flights, and car rentals for personal use.
Benefits for Companies and Employees
- Cost Savings. Employees save on personal travel expenses by utilizing Dyme’s preferred rates, while companies benefit from increased employee satisfaction without additional costs.
- Simplified Booking Process. Our integrated platform streamlines business and personal travel arrangements, maintaining clear boundaries for expense reporting and reimbursement.
- Enhanced Employee Well-being. Facilitating bleisure travel supports work-life flexibility initiatives, leading to higher productivity and improved employee retention.
- Sustainability Commitment. Every trip booked through Dyme contributes to environmental sustainability by compensating for travel emissions, aligning with corporate social responsibility goals.
For a comprehensive guide on setting these policies, check out How to Create a Corporate Travel Policy. This guide provides practical advice on crafting policies that align with your business objectives while supporting employee well-being.
Join the Movement Toward Smarter, Greener Travel
With Dyme, companies can offer a travel experience that is efficient and sustainable and considerate of employee well-being. Our platform’s unique ability to extend preferred corporate rates for personal travel simplifies the process of combining business and leisure, making bleisure travel a practical and appealing option for your workforce.
Discover how Dyme can transform your corporate travel policy and help your employees achieve a better work-life balance.
