Exploring The Intricacies Of Work-Related Travel

Travelling for work is known as a business trip or work trip. The term remote assignment can also be used to describe work that takes place away from the office, and the US military refers to this type of travel as TDY, or Temporary Duty.

Business travel

For international business trips, travellers need to be mindful of visa requirements. For instance, a foreigner travelling to the United States for business purposes would typically require a visitor visa (B) unless eligible for entry under the Visa Waiver Program.

Overall, business travel is an essential aspect of modern corporate life, facilitating collaboration, relationship-building, and the pursuit of new business opportunities.

Work trip

Travelling for work is often referred to as a "work trip" or a "business trip". These terms are interchangeable, but there are some nuances to their usage.

'Business trip' is the more formal and official-sounding phrase and is likely to be used in professional communications about the trip. It is often used when employees travel to another country for work.

'Work trip' is more informal and is likely to be used when chatting with colleagues or friends. For example, "No, it's a work trip. I'm heading out of town tomorrow."

However, the difference is not strict, and either term could be used in either context.

There are other terms used to describe travelling for work, such as "remote assignment", "off-site", or "seconded". In the US military, travelling for work is referred to as "TDY" or "Temporary Duty", and this includes a "Temporary Duty Allowance" for expenses.

Commercial traveller

In the past, commercial travellers played an important role in Australian life, particularly in the 19th century, when they would visit remote locations to sell their wares or take orders for the companies they represented. They were also known as "knights of the road", and their work could be lonely, with travellers spending weeks away from their families. As a result, they formed social clubs and associations to provide companionship and support, such as the Commercial Travellers' Association of Queensland, which had over 500 members by 1907.

The term "commercial traveller" is not commonly used nowadays, but it offers a glimpse into the past when selling goods involved a more personal and itinerant approach.

Temporary Duty

In the United States, the term TDY is commonly used by government agencies and the military to refer to this type of travel. The General Services Administration (GSA), for example, has a Temporary Duty (TDY) Travel Policy that outlines the rules and regulations for employee travel within the country and to non-foreign areas. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Food Safety and Inspection Service also have similar policies and guidelines for TDY travel.

During a TDY assignment, employees are typically expected to follow certain guidelines and procedures, such as obtaining proper authorisation for their travel, using approved methods of transportation, and keeping track of their travel expenses. These expenses may include transportation costs, lodging, meals, and other incidental expenses. In some cases, employees may be eligible for a per diem allowance, which is a daily amount provided to cover living expenses while travelling.

It's important to note that TDY travel is usually distinguished from other types of travel, such as local travel or permanent change of station (PCS) travel, based on the distance travelled and the nature of the assignment. TDY travel is typically defined as travel that is performed for official purposes and is over a certain distance from the employee's permanent duty station and commuting residence.

Overall, the term Temporary Duty, or TDY, encompasses the concept of travelling for work and involves following certain procedures to ensure that the travel is authorised, efficient, and cost-effective.

Off-site

Common careers that involve off-site working include doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals, as well as lawyers, politicians, athletes, clergy, military personnel, academics, and journalists. Many organisations have travel policies in place to help staff decide whether, how, and at what cost to travel for business.

There are positives and negatives to off-site working. On the one hand, employees may experience loneliness, depression, and reduced mental health from being away from their regular workplace. They may also miss important family events. On the other hand, off-site working provides the opportunity to see new places at the company's expense, and studies have shown that performance can increase during travel.

The term "off-site working" is often used interchangeably with "business trip" or "work trip", with the latter being more informal and used in conversation with colleagues or friends.

Frequently asked questions