An increase in travel can also mean an uplift in insurance claims. A study among World Bank staff and consultants showed that travellers’ claims were notably higher than those of their non-travelling peers, with the highest rise in those for stress-related disorders. Regarding the higher number of claims, says Dr Dipti Patel, “These were not major mental health issues and the stresses weren’t in the travel itself, but in having to catch up on work and being away from family.”
Additionally, she points out that a problem someone has at home such as depression might not be easy to handle when abroad because the medical infrastructure and support may be different or not there at all, “and the attitude towards mental health may be different, they are all interrelated. It is not that the problem is worse but it is more difficult to manage,” says Patel.
Companies today are much more aware of their duty of care with a general understanding that looking after staff is good for people and therefore for business. However, “Sometimes when people send staff overseas, they don’t think they have the same responsibility, but responsibility doesn’t stop when they get on a plane,” says Patel.
There is a joined up approach required to put the best level of employee care in place. This requires pulling down silos and connecting teams such as HR, travel and global mobility for a 360-degree view of employee well-being, whether in their everyday office or overseas, stationary or on the move.