Sydney, May 7: A recent survey conducted by World Travel Protection, a leading provider of travel risk management and assistance, has unveiled insights into how business travel affects the mental health of Australian workers.
According to the findings of the Opinium survey, while half of the respondents reported positive effects of work-related travel on their well-being, a significant number highlighted the associated stresses and challenges.
The survey, which included responses from 500 Australian business travellers, found that 47 per cent of participants feel that frequent travel contributes to stress and burnout.
This percentage rises to 56 per cent among those who travel for work at least once every two months. Moreover, approximately 27 per cent of travellers have sought mental health support due to the difficulties posed by their travel schedules, with this figure increasing to 36 per cent among frequent flyers.
The most commonly reported feelings among Australian business travellers are homesickness and missing family, experienced by 38 per cent of respondents.
This is closely followed by feelings of exhaustion and anxiety, reported by 37 per cent and 34 per cent of the respondents, respectively.
The survey also indicates a higher proportion of women experiencing these negative emotions compared to men.
Dr Neil Slabbert, Regional Chief Medical Officer (Asia-Pacific) at World Travel Protection, emphasized the importance of supporting employee well-being on business trips.
“Organisations have an obligation to ensure their employees feel supported when they’re away from home and their loved ones, both from a physical safety and mental health perspective,” Dr Slabbert stated.
He noted that disruptions to routines and physical distance from support systems can significantly worsen stress and anxiety for travellers, especially those with young children.
Despite the challenges, 73 per cent of Australians believe that in-person meetings are crucial for fostering positive, long-term relationships, and 47 per cent say that business travel has gained importance since the shift to working from home.
However, the survey also revealed that 35 per cent of employees feel their well-being is not taken seriously by their organisations when travelling for business.
Concerns such as depression, high anxiety, and panic attacks are prevalent, particularly among younger travellers aged 18 to 34 years, with 58 per cent expressing such concerns.
Dr Slabbert advocates for proactive measures to support travellers, including pre-trip briefings on destination specifics, daily family video calls, and access to wellness resources.
“Having peace of mind about your safety when abroad can play a big part in how confident you feel when you’re working,” he added.
The survey also highlights the growing trend of blending business with leisure, known as bleisure travel, which many Australians find beneficial.
Around 28 per cent of respondents noted that incorporating leisure time into business trips reduces feelings of burnout and stress.
Patrea O’Donoghue, a high-performance psychologist, supports the idea of bleisure travel for its potential to help employees decompress and recharge.
“Whether it’s exploring local cuisine, enjoying quiet moments or engaging in conversations with locals, these experiences enrich your journey and foster a deeper connection to the present moment, especially when you’re feeling overwhelmed or homesick,” O’Donoghue explained.
She further advises travellers to manage expectations with their employers before travel, focusing on workload, boundaries, and the importance of downtime to promote more effective and sustainable work travel practices.
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