Study finds business travellers facing stress, well-being challenges

A new study by Corporate Traveller – conducted by YouGov – reveals that close to half of Canadian business travellers are facing stress and well-being challenges.

With 4.1 million Canadians already experiencing work-related stress (Statistics Canada), and business travel in Canada projected to surge by nearly 15%, businesses have a unique opportunity to enhance their business travel support and foster balanced work-life experiences. Key findings of the new Corporate Traveller study include:

Impact of work travel on well-being

• 47% of business travellers report experiencing stress
• 38% face adverse impacts on their well-being
• 8% have some form of adverse impact on their personal well-being

Frequent travellers are more likely than less frequent travellers to cite balancing a heavy workload with travel preparations (5+ times a year: 50% compared to 1-2 times a year: 41% and 3-4 times a year: 40%).

Key Stressors include:

• Travel disruptions 65%
• Unexpected changes in travel schedules 61%
• Severe weather impacts 59%
• Rising travel costs 46%
• Current travel restrictions 45%
• Concerns about aircraft safety and reliability 45%
• Heavy workload related to travel preparations 43%
• Independent rebooking of airfare/accommodation 42%
• Managing jetlag and ensuring adequate rest 37%
• Uncertainties due to geopolitical conditions (35%)

Demographic Insights include:

• Younger travellers (Gen Z: 52%, Millennials: 47%) are more concerned about balancing work and travel than older travellers (Gen X: 36%, Baby Boomers/Silent: 32%).
• Gen X travellers report higher stress from travel disruptions (71%) compared to Gen Z (56%).
• Women are more likely to feel stressed (53%) compared to men (44%).
• 78% of travellers acknowledge business travel affects their personal well-being, with 6% citing a significant impact.

Regional Insights include:

• Travellers from British Columbia (81%) and Ontario (80%) are more likely than those from Quebec (69%) to say travelling for business adversely impacts their personal well-being.

“These findings reveal that business travel, a cornerstone of many Canadian industries, comes with hidden costs — primarily in the form of stress and personal well-being impacts. That data indicates younger employees could benefit from supportive travel policies designed to help them manage stressors,” observes Chris Lynes, Managing Director for Flight Centre Travel Group Canada — including global travel brands, Corporate Traveller and FCM Travel.

Lynes points out: “We’ve found that implementing flexible business trip policies that integrate leisure with work travel contribute to happier, healthier employees, fostering a balanced work-life environment and reducing turnover rates. Enhanced support and adaptive policies can make a significant difference, especially for frequent travellers and younger employees new to the workforce.”

Initiatives such as flexible scheduling, mental health support, and opportunities for bleisure travel have proven to be highly effective, contributing to Flight Centre Travel Group’s current retention rate of nearly 90%.

With nearly half of Canadian business travellers experiencing significant stress, companies need to implement flexible travel policies and support systems. Tailored well-being strategies across different demographics can mitigate work-related stress, ensuring business travel enhances lives and promotes a healthier, more productive workforce.

For more on the study, go to https://www.corptraveller.com/en-ca/resources/news/travel-disruptions-now-norm-canadian-business-travel

Go to www.corptraveller.com or www.fcmtravel.com for more.

Images courtesy of Corporate Traveller