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A new survey has revealed some interesting findings about what really happens during business trips.
World Travel Protection’s recent survey has revealed some insight into the activities that Aussie workers indulge in when they venture away on business trips. According to the survey, 79 per cent of Aussie business travellers admitted to engaging in risky behaviours they wouldn’t do at home.
“My team receives calls every day from distressed business and leisure travellers who have found themselves in sticky situations – often, in part, due to making reckless choices,” said Rodger Cook, World Travel Protection’s general manager of global security services.
“Physical assaults, accidents, food and alcohol poisoning – many aren’t the traveller’s own fault but could have been avoided if they had made safer choices earlier.”
HR expert Christina King has encountered some rather erroneous behaviour that has occurred on business trips throughout her tenure – with her best piece of advice to business travellers being: “Go easy on the booze.”
“I’ve seen people drink to unsafe levels and pass out in the hotel bathroom,” she said, “which is dangerous on its own, but drinking alcohol generally leads to poor decision making, and other risky behaviours stem from that”.
“I’ve seen the outcome of people attending an awards ceremony overseas. They’ve gone out for pre-drinks, the drinks have been flowing freely at the event, and then they’ve gone to the hotel bar after the event.
“By the end of the night, they’ve offended some of their work colleagues, and they wake up the next day having damaged relationships and are, at times, almost completely unable to function in their job.”
Different locations across the globe have different risks, which workers are much more susceptible to after alcohol consumption.
“Once people start drinking, they’re generally more likely to say yes to things like having ice in their drinks, which, when made with the local water in some countries, can get people sick,” said King.
“It might be seen as a separate risk, but like many other poor decisions, it stems from alcohol-impaired judgement.”
One of King’s examples was when an employee lodged a strip club receipt under the guise of “entertainment”.
“When that kind of thing is discovered, it can lead to serious disciplinary action, and at the very least, the person must pay the money back. It’s not just risky behaviour, but it also erodes trust,” she said.
Even harmless fun, such as adventure tourism activities, can have huge ramifications for employers and employees.
“Some destinations like Queenstown in New Zealand lend themselves to adventure tourism, but if something goes wrong, you may find that your work insurance won’t cover that type of activity,” she said.
“I’ve heard of staff members paragliding down a mountain or taking part in Shotover Jet boat rides at very high speeds, during their time off on work trips.
“It puts your employer in a difficult position because they can’t control everything you do in your downtime, but they’re not expecting you to go bungee jumping either.”
Despite the excitement that business travel can offer workers, King called on would-be travellers to remain professional.
“Have fun, but know your limits,” King said. “One bad decision on a work trip can have long-lasting consequences – for your career, your credibility, not to mention your personal safety.”
Kace O'Neill
Kace O'Neill is a Graduate Journalist for HR Leader. Kace studied Media Communications and Maori studies at the University of Otago, he has a passion for sports and storytelling.
