登录查看更多内容

What are the most common mistakes companies make when developing travel policies?

由人工智能和领英社区提供技术支持

Travel policies are essential for any company that requires its employees to travel for business purposes. They help to control costs, ensure compliance, and provide guidance and support for travelers. However, developing effective travel policies is not an easy task, and many companies make common mistakes that can undermine their goals and cause frustration and dissatisfaction among their staff. In this article, we will discuss some of the most common mistakes companies make when developing travel policies, and how to avoid them.

此文章中的业界达人

由社区从 6 条内容中精选。了解更多

Jeff Hawkins

Vice President Sales
Sana Mehboob

Manager HR | Employee Relations | Talent Acquisition | United King
Kathleen O'Donoghue

Accountant/ Office Manager | Internal Controls, Financial Reporting | Certified Fraud Examiner

1 Mistake 1: Not involving stakeholders

One of the biggest mistakes companies make when developing travel policies is not involving the key stakeholders in the process. Stakeholders include the travelers themselves, the managers who approve the trips, the finance team who handle the reimbursements, and the travel management company or agency who provide the booking and support services. By not consulting these stakeholders, companies risk creating policies that are unrealistic, impractical, or inconsistent with their needs and expectations. To avoid this mistake, companies should conduct surveys, interviews, or focus groups with their stakeholders, and solicit their feedback and suggestions on the draft policies before finalizing them.

添加您的观点

Jeff Hawkins

Vice President Sales
举报内容
As in many oversight and policy decisions it is crucial to understand the actual nature of the process. Typically the persons responsible for making policy have limited experience with the life of an employee on the road. Traveling, especially involving international destinations isn’t always as simple as a rigid policy. I’d suggest taking the opportunity to go along with traveling employees. Get a first person perspective. Might just provide the “ ohhhhh moment”. After almost 8 million miles traveling, perspective is everything. Don’t increase the burden, try to mitigate it. Everyone will be happier as a result. Cheers ??

已翻译

赞
Sana Mehboob

Manager HR | Employee Relations | Talent Acquisition | United King
举报内容
This is the fundamental part of not including the stakeholders and without knowing the ground reality & market competitors comparison policies are made which not only have possibilities of missing some key factors but also increasing demotivation of staff.

已翻译

赞
Kathleen O'Donoghue

Accountant/ Office Manager | Internal Controls, Financial Reporting | Certified Fraud Examiner
举报内容
It is important to involve all the stakeholders to find a compromise that works best. Field personnel are more aware than senior management of what costs really are in different locales. Senior management is acutely aware of the bottom line. Middle management needs to have clear guidelines that can be enforced. Everyone involved, from the field staff to finance to senior management, needs to be willing to compromise and respond to changes as needed.

已翻译

赞
Karen W.

Office Manager | Bachelor of Business Administration
举报内容
Yes, a travel policy usually is created by the third-party travel agency hired by your company. Unfortunately, lack of company employee knowledge regarding travel may lead to unexpected problems. Will there be need of company employee travel insurance? Should the insurance or risk officer be involved? What about company legal liability? Should there be stipulations regarding pre and post travel? What about spouses or family combined travel? What about international flights? Medical care abroad? What about employees and possible kidnappers? Will company need to use travel agency software and what is expense? Can accounting bill with process already in place? Does human resource need to do involved? Open company review is best.

已翻译

赞

2 Mistake 2: Not updating policies regularly

Another common mistake companies make when developing travel policies is not updating them regularly to reflect the changing business environment, travel trends, and employee preferences. Travel policies that are outdated or irrelevant can lead to confusion, non-compliance, and dissatisfaction among travelers and managers. For example, travel policies that do not address the impact of COVID-19, the emergence of new travel options, or the preferences of different generations of travelers can create challenges and risks for the company and its employees. To avoid this mistake, companies should review their travel policies at least once a year, and make adjustments as needed based on the feedback from stakeholders, the analysis of travel data, and the best practices in the industry.

添加您的观点

3 Mistake 3: Not communicating policies clearly

A third common mistake companies make when developing travel policies is not communicating them clearly and effectively to their employees. Travel policies that are unclear, complex, or hard to access can result in misunderstandings, errors, and violations among travelers and managers. For example, travel policies that are buried in lengthy documents, use ambiguous or technical language, or have conflicting or confusing rules can create frustration and uncertainty for the travelers and the approvers. To avoid this mistake, companies should communicate their travel policies in a simple, concise, and user-friendly way, using different channels and formats, such as online portals, mobile apps, email newsletters, or webinars. They should also provide training and support for their employees on how to use and follow the policies.

添加您的观点

4 Mistake 4: Not enforcing policies consistently

A fourth common mistake companies make when developing travel policies is not enforcing them consistently and fairly across the organization. Travel policies that are not enforced or applied equally can result in inefficiencies, inequities, and resentment among travelers and managers. For example, travel policies that allow exceptions or exemptions for certain groups or individuals, or that do not have clear consequences or incentives for compliance or non-compliance, can create a culture of favoritism or distrust within the company. To avoid this mistake, companies should enforce their travel policies consistently and transparently, using tools and systems that monitor and track the travel behavior and performance of their employees, and that reward or penalize them accordingly.

添加您的观点

Kathleen O'Donoghue

Accountant/ Office Manager | Internal Controls, Financial Reporting | Certified Fraud Examiner
举报内容
When travel policies are not enforced by middle management, either because management does not have the time or the inclination to enforce them, staff will take advantage of the lack of oversight. It may be small things at first, a missed receipt for a few dollars, but it will grow more severe over time. This provides an opportunity for those who are so inclined to commit fraud against the company. The responsibility of enforcing the policies consistently begins before the employee leaves on the trip. Management must make sure the policies are known. Staff must agree to abide by the policies and understand the consequences of not following policy.

已翻译

赞

5 Mistake 5: Not measuring policies' effectiveness

A fifth common mistake companies make when developing travel policies is not measuring their effectiveness and impact on the company's goals and objectives. Travel policies that are not measured or evaluated can result in wasted resources, missed opportunities, and poor outcomes for the company and its employees. For example, travel policies that do not have clear and measurable indicators or benchmarks, or that do not collect and analyze the relevant data, can fail to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the policies, or the areas for improvement or innovation. To avoid this mistake, companies should measure their travel policies' effectiveness and impact, using metrics and methods that align with their strategic and operational goals, such as cost savings, compliance rates, traveler satisfaction, or productivity.

添加您的观点

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

添加您的观点

Kathleen O'Donoghue

Accountant/ Office Manager | Internal Controls, Financial Reporting | Certified Fraud Examiner
举报内容
Not all travel fits within standard policy. For instance, per diems of $65 CAD per day may be fine in some areas, but in other areas, this may be excessive or restrictive. When travelling to areas where costs are significantly lower, management should reflect the savings in the policy. When costs are significantly higher, i.e., in Northern Canada, the increased cost should also be reflected in policy.

已翻译

赞

Office Administration

+ 关注

给文章评分

我们借助人工智能创建了此文章。您认为这篇文章怎么样？

很棒不太好

举报此文章

查看全部

What are the most common mistakes companies make when developing travel policies?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Mistake 1: Not involving stakeholders

2 Mistake 2: Not updating policies regularly

3 Mistake 3: Not communicating policies clearly

4 Mistake 4: Not enforcing policies consistently

5 Mistake 5: Not measuring policies' effectiveness

6 Here’s what else to consider

Office Administration

给文章评分

感谢您的反馈

更多Office Administration相关文章

更多相关阅读内容

What are the most common mistakes companies make when developing travel policies?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Mistake 1: Not involving stakeholders

2 Mistake 2: Not updating policies regularly

3 Mistake 3: Not communicating policies clearly

4 Mistake 4: Not enforcing policies consistently

5 Mistake 5: Not measuring policies' effectiveness

6 Here’s what else to consider

Office Administration

给文章评分

感谢您的反馈

查看其他技能