The concept of bleisure travel, or blending business and leisure travel, has become increasingly popular as employees take advantage of the flexibility of remote work. This trend has extended beyond digital nomads to include a wider range of individuals. The bleisure travel market is projected to reach $731.4 billion by 2032, with businesses struggling to define their duty of care to employees during blended trips. While companies are responsible for aspects of employees’ safety and well-being during business trips, it is often unclear where this responsibility ends when leisure time is added to the mix.
Companies are working to establish comprehensive policies that balance business objectives, employee well-being, and legal considerations. It is important for employees to understand that medical coverage provided by companies typically only applies during the business portion of a trip, not the leisure part. Employees may be surprised by out-of-pocket expenses for medical emergencies or other unforeseen circumstances while on leisure time. Employers and employees need to communicate effectively and ensure that all potential risks and liabilities are understood.
The level of support and care provided by companies during leisure portions of business trips varies. Some companies, like RevShoppe, provide flexible travel options and require employees to sign liability and insurance waivers for voluntary company-sponsored trips. In some cases, companies expect employees to take full responsibility for themselves and any accompanying individuals during leisure time. Employees are responsible for notifying their managers of their whereabouts and requesting paid time off for leisure activities.
Employees may not always clearly define the distinction between business and leisure time during trips. Some individuals, like Eliot Lees of ICF, have combined business and leisure travel without seeking approval, taking risks without carrying personal travel or accident insurance. However, security experts caution that even low-risk areas can become high-risk during certain times. Companies must be aware of where their employees are at all times and provide necessary support if a disaster occurs.
As businesses navigate the changing landscape of blended travel, they are developing protocols to better manage employees’ safety and well-being. Some companies, like Uber and DoorDash, provide travel advisories, safety tips, and emergency travel assistance for both business and leisure trips. Employees should be aware of the level of support offered by their companies and take necessary precautions during leisure time. Ultimately, communication between employees and employers is essential to ensure that company policies are understood and followed during blended business and leisure travel.
