Travel is a task for the executive
IN THE past top-notch executives used to view travelling on work as one of the attractive perks of the job, it was seen as an opportunity to travel to new places, look at new sights, meet different people and savour different cuisines. But today it is looked at more as an inconvenience. With increased connectivity and air travel becoming more affordable, frequent flying on work is on the rise. But for those executives who do so it affects their work schedules. It also has an impact on their health, work performance and family life. Frequent travel is being seen as a source of discomfort rather than a perk.
Even if one is in touch with one's clients through phone and e-mail, sometimes in the course of one's dealings a face to face meeting is necessary for relationship building or finalising the deal and this means flying to the client's place and in turn more travelling.
Today with airfares becoming more affordable it is not only the top people of the company who fly on work but also second- level executives are asked to fly to save on time. Also small business owners do not think twice to fly on a business matter. So frequent travelling on work has become a part of the job description of executives across the board.
With travel becoming frequent, companies are trying to cut on travel costs by using low cost carriers and asking top executives to travel on business class and the others on economy class. And when airlines have various schemes and discount plans, companies are ensuring that flight tickets are booked at the cheapest possible rates.
But for the executive who flies frequently and moves in and out of hotels, travel has become a work hazard. And when companies discourage overnight stays in hotels because of the added costs, it means catching the earliest flight back and getting to office for work, in short it becomes a long weary day for the executive. This can affect work performance. Also with flight delays becoming more frequent, schedules go haywire.
This frequent travelling accompanied by erratic schedules and disorderly eating and sleeping takes a toll on executives' health the side effects can include digestive problems, mental and physical fatigue and lack of sleep. This can in turn affect the executives' performance at work.
Frequent flying leaves the executive with little time to spend with his or her family and this can especially be a problem for working mothers who have other responsibilities including work to take care of. It also upsets the work-life balance as jetting in and out of flights and spending time at airports and catching up on work leaves little time for leisure activities. In the Indian workplace the HR policy regarding issues relating to frequent employee travel is not clearly outlined in a majority of companies. Many companies do not even consider it an issue. But there are few things companies can do to ease the strain of frequent travel on employees like not asking executives to travel during holidays and when long work hours are involved before or after the journey,employees should be given adequate time for rest. Till such measures are adopted the Indian worker travelling on work it is vital that he/she develops the skill of juggling travel, work and family demands simultaneously.So the next time you think an executive is lucky to travel so much on work, think again.
HEMA GOPALAKRISHNAN
faqs@cnkonline.com
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