Flexible and hybrid working is now increasingly common. Whatever their hours and wherever their workplace, employees need mobility solutions that enable business journeys starting from home or from the office. How can organisations ensure they continue to support all their employees with easy and convenient travel options?
Putting people first: Understanding employee needs in mobility planning
It’s important to understand why people are travelling when designing a hybrid mobility solution.
We know that many employees travel as much for in-person connection, which is vital to build and sustain relationships, as for practical purposes. Our research shows that most employees feel travelling for work expands networks and re-energises the business. Whether it’s time building connections with customers, suppliers or colleagues, it is relationships that drive businesses forward and there is no substitute for time spent face-to-face. This is particularly true for hybrid and remote workers who want their in-person time to be as productive and rewarding as possible.
The desire to maximise in-person time may impact how people choose to travel. Perhaps going up the night before would enable a fuller schedule of connecting and collaborating with colleagues. Others may choose to travel back late after a long day of meetings with customers. Giving employees the choice enables them to shape their schedule to ensure maximum productivity from their trip. Knowing these preferences will help shape mobility provision and a policy that meets individual employee needs.
A travel policy that specifically addresses the needs of hybrid and remote workers will help these employees feel included in their organisation’s mobility provision. They will then be more likely to adhere to policy and plan journeys accordingly rather than defaulting to using their own car and reclaiming mileage.
Ensuring employees understand how the mobility policy works is essential for optimum utilisation. Employees who have always worked from one location and are new to hybrid working may need help to fully understand and see the benefit of the travel options that are available to them.
Our research shows that employees aren’t always clear on what constitutes a business trip, and what is part of the commute, so guidelines need to be clear and well-communicated.
From HQ to home: Making mobility work wherever employees are
When everyone worked in one place, it made sense to procure mobility services based on location, with vehicles either delivered to the office or picked up at a local branch, or via pool cars that were based at headquarters. Today’s more geographically dispersed teams need the mobility provision to serve a wider area.
Mobility options need to be convenient and accessible so people can choose the best mode of transport for their journey, whether that is collecting a rental vehicle at a branch, taking public transport, picking up an on-street shared vehicle or mixing active travel with public transport.
Making a variety of travel options available wherever employees need them helps deliver a seamless and more satisfying mobility experience.
Bespoke apps and digital platforms that help workers plan and book the most efficient and suitable journeys can also help improve the business travel experience for hybrid workers. While these systems increase compliance, it can also guide employees towards choices that support broader business objectives such as reducing emissions and risk.
Flexible and hybrid working travel policies can empower employees to better balance their professional and personal lives, contributing to a more supportive workplace culture. To truly deliver on this, it’s essential that every employee, regardless of where they work, has a transparent and seamless experience when travelling for business.
Andy Bland is head of business rental development UK and Ireland for Enterprise Mobility
