As an employer, it is your responsibility to find the best accommodation options for your team. Whether heading to a one-day conference in another city or jetting across the globe for an exciting business meeting, it’s important your employees have access to safe, vetted and compliant accommodation that meets their needs.
Traveling - whether for work or leisure - can be stressful and tiring. In fact, a recent study showed that 73% of business travelers worldwide will be focusing on their mental well-being more when they travel post-pandemic. Long flights, lengthy queues, delays and time differences can take a toll on travelers’ mental health, not to mention their productivity levels.
After a long day of travel, it’s crucial employees have somewhere safe and comfortable to relax, unwind and get some rest. Here are our top tips for finding the best employee housing options for your team:
Choose a housing provider with an extensive global network of alternative accommodation
Business travel takes place all over the globe. From high-tech conferences in Tokyo to business conventions in Austin, there are opportunities worldwide - so it only makes sense to work with a housing provider that offers a global network of accommodation.
Look for a housing provider with a range of different property types in various locations. It’s also wise to search for employee housing providers that can offer flexible lease terms and options - after all, you never know when an employee may want to extend their stay into a bleisure trip.
Generally, the most common business travel locations are considered safe, as they’re typically bustling cities bursting with opportunity. But, that’s not to say there may be a time when employees need to venture out of the traditional business districts - and in this case, it’s important to have a housing provider on board who prioritizes security and can provide safe accommodation.
Look for a company with security and safety at the forefront
With the above in mind, it’s crucial to select serviced apartments with the highest health, safety and security measures in place. It is your responsibility to ease any concerns employees may have surrounding travel and their safety, and a sensible place to start is with the accommodation booking process. If employees want a say over the safety and security of their accommodation, we recommend bringing them in on the selection process to ensure their needs are met.
Part of your duty of care responsibility as an employer involves knowing where your employees are at all times while away on business. Working with a housing provider who provides clear visibility on the check-in and check-out status of employees can be useful for monitoring the safety of your staff.
Find employee accommodation with a 24-hour customer service team
Often, when employees jet off for business travel, they are in a completely different timezone to their employer. This can make communication difficult or fragmented, which can leave employees feeling disconnected if they have any queries or concerns. Choosing a housing provider with a 24-hour customer service team can help alleviate this issue. As with any type of accommodation, different issues can arise - whether it’s a faulty keycard or a broken washing machine. Having a customer service team on hand during all hours of the day will not only give your employees peace of mind they are being looked after while away for work, but will ensure they have everything they need, too.
Do your research and read reviews
When buying or booking anything, it’s important to shop around and do your research. Feedback is a great way to get an instant feel for a company; naturally, you’ll want to stay away from housing providers cluttered with negative feedback. Instead, look for companies that have a solid reputation, a large portfolio of properties (this is typically an indication they are well-established), and happy customers. It’s always worth shopping around to find the right options for your team!
Choose curated options that meet the specific needs of your employees
Finally, it’s important to choose a housing provider that offers curated accommodation options to meet the demands of your team. Experienced, reliable employee housing providers understand that no two teams are the same - and therefore, not every accommodation requirement will be the same.
At 3Sixty, our Home Match™ technology curates a selection of vetted accommodation options that fit your specific needs, ensuring you always match with the right accommodation for your team. We’re proud to support companies from the moment they book right through to aftercare, guaranteeing your team will feel supported and cared for before, during and after their stay.
Where will you be sending your employees next?
3Sixty
Sixty is a state-of-the-art marketplace that reduces the noise in extended-stay travel. Our HomeMatch™ technology leverages machine learning and human expertise to curate quality, cost-effective housing where your employees feel safe, comfortable, and at peace.