In a survey conducted in Australia, nearly half of business travellers expressed concern about their mental health.
In fact, 47% of participants in a 500-person national study conducted by Opinium on behalf of World Travel Protection who travel for business at least once per year reported having concerns about anxiety and intense terror. Additionally, employees reported feeling lonely (23%), stressed (31%), and weary (33%).
Furthermore, 41% of respondents claimed they miss their family or feel homesick while travelling, significantly more than their international counterparts (32% of American travellers and 16% of UK respondents said the same).
Neil Slabbert, Regional Chief Medical Officer for Asia Pacific for World Travel Protection, commented on the findings, saying: “It is essential to an organization’s overall productivity that employees are prepared and receive care and support prior to business travel as well as during the travel.”
“When employees are working away from home, they are missing out on their regular routines, creature comforts, and support systems, among other things. Increased levels of tension and anxiety can be brought on by time zone shifts, last-minute adjustments to their schedule, insufficient sleep, and a feeling of unpredictability.
The problem was made worse by the fact that 22% of the respondents had never heard from their company before travelling abroad on business. It was emphasised that as a result, local customs and etiquette as well as any risk for political upheaval may not be explained to an employee before they leave the workplace.
Slabbert reaffirmed the need for businesses to make an effort to support the mental health of their staff members remotely.
“It’s important to have a conversation with an employee before they leave on a trip, regardless of how long it will be, about things like maintaining regular video chats with family members or other close relatives, installing a wellness or meditation app to their phone, and having a reliable emergency action plan.
“Employees should also have contact details on hand of their medical assistance company should they require urgent care.”
