Everything to Include when Updating your Travel Policy

For the safety of employees, many organizations have refrained from returning from travel. However, with a possible vaccine and increased safety efforts from travel suppliers, some organizations have begun thinking about resuming travel in the coming year.

A recent study from the GBTA found that there is growing optimism for travel in 2021, with 37% expecting to host some or many meetings/events in Q1. Being that we’re fully in Q4 of 2020, it may be the time for you to get together with your team and start discussing travel policy updates for 2021.

Here are some things we think are especially important when updating your travel policy for the new year.

Address the elephant in the room
Understandably, some may be wary of traveling. Address their concerns in your organization’s travel policy. Questions that should be answered include:

  1. Can an employee opt-out of travel with concerns of COVID-19? What does that process look like?

  2. Under what circumstances will travel resume for your organization?

  3. Will travelers be required to take vaccines before departure? Who is responsible for any payments?

Defining your “Essential” workers
Take a moment and ask yourself if you have clearly defined who “Essential” workers are within your company. There are certain workers a part of your organization in which travel is critical for them to perform their duties. Though your higher-ups may have a clear understanding of who is considered essential, your employees may not be aware, causing unnecessary confusion.

Clearly define Duty of Care policies
If you haven’t defined your Duty of Care strategy in your Travel Policy before, you should gather with your team and lay this out immediately. Duty of Care can be defined as, “the moral and legal obligations of a company to keep their travelers safe.” Now, more than ever, employees need to know how their company will protect them when traveling for business.

EWA has some information on how you can strengthen your organization’s Duty of Care policy.

Updating Your Travel Policy 2020
Katlyn PierreEWA Traveltravel policy, travel management, duty of care, safety and security, corporate travel, business travel