By Stephen D. Bruce, PHR
Editor, HR Daily Advisor
Just My E-pinion
Travel is critical for conducting business, or is it? We surveyed our readers to see what they have done with their travel and relocation budgets during the economic crunch. We found, for example, that two thirds of respondents have reduced travel, and half have increased the use of online meeting services.
Readers from across the country and well-distributed by size and industry, 135 strong, responded. Thanks to all who participated. Here are the detailed results:
What is the percentage of employees who travel for business on a regular basis?
| Executives |
Number |
Percent |
|
None |
3 |
2% |
|
Less than 10% |
23 |
16% |
|
11-25% |
37 |
26% |
|
More than 25% |
79 |
56% |
|
|
|
|
|
Managers/Supervisors |
Number |
Percent |
|
None |
8 |
6% |
|
Less than 10% |
48 |
36% |
|
11-25% |
48 |
36% |
|
More than 25% |
31 |
23% |
|
|
|
|
|
Staff |
Number |
Percent |
|
None |
22 |
17% |
|
Less than 10% |
71 |
54% |
|
11-25% |
23 |
18% |
|
More than 25% |
15 |
11% |
What is the company policy for reimbursement of meal expenses?
|
|
Number |
Percent |
|
A per diem rate is paid for meals |
22 |
15% |
|
A combined per diem rate is paid for meals and lodging |
8 |
5% |
|
Actual meal expenses reimbursed; no formal daily cap |
73 |
49% |
|
Actual meal expenses reimbursed; formal 3 meal cap |
41 |
28% |
|
No policy exists; practices vary |
5 |
3% |
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What it the company policy for reimbursement of lodging expenses?
|
Number |
Percent |
|
|
A per diem rate is paid for lodging |
4 |
3% |
|
A combined per diem rate is paid for meals and lodging |
5 |
3% |
|
Actual lodging expenses reimbursed; no formal daily cap |
106 |
71% |
|
Actual lodging expenses reimbursed; formal cap |
28 |
19% |
|
No policy exists; practices vary |
7 |
5% |
Do employees who travel frequently have company credit cards?
|
Number |
Percent |
|
|
Yes |
92 |
64% |
|
No |
51 |
36% |
What is the threshold at which a receipt is required for expense reimbursement?
|
Number |
Percent |
|
|
$0 (receipts required for all expenses) |
87 |
60% |
|
$1 – $20 |
11 |
8% |
|
$21 – $30 |
34 |
24% |
|
$31 – $50 |
6 |
4% |
|
$51 – $100 |
4 |
3% |
|
Over $100 |
2 |
1% |
How are frequent flier miles handled?
|
Number |
Percent |
|
|
Earned and redeemed by employer |
20 |
14% |
|
Earned and redeemed by employee |
120 |
86% |
What is the mileage allowance for employee automobile travel?
|
Number |
Percent |
|
|
0-39 cents per mile |
12 |
8% |
|
40-49 cents per mile |
22 |
15% |
|
50 cents per mile (2010 IRS maximum) |
105 |
73% |
|
51-60 cents per mile |
4 |
3% |
|
More than 60 cents per mile |
1 |
1% |
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What steps have you taken to control travel expenses during the recession?
|
Number |
Percent |
|
|
Reduced the frequency of business travel |
91 |
67% |
|
Reduced the duration of business travel |
27 |
20% |
|
Spent less on restaurants (incl. entertainment expense) |
34 |
25% |
|
Booked less expensive lodging |
42 |
31% |
|
Revised travel policies to control expenses |
27 |
20% |
|
Stricter enforcement of existing policies |
44 |
32% |
|
Increased usage of online meeting tools |
69 |
51% |
Does the company reimburse employees for relocation expenses?
|
Yes |
|
No |
|
Case by Case |
||
|
# |
% |
# |
% |
# |
% |
|
|
Executives |
62 |
44% |
28 |
20% |
51 |
36% |
|
Managers/ |
41 |
29% |
42 |
30% |
56 |
40% |
|
Staff |
26 |
19% |
66 |
49% |
43 |
32% |
Company’s 2010 budget per employee move:
Forty-three percent of the companies that responded indicated they had a zero dollar budget for relocation. For those that did respond with a dollar value, the average amount was $22,382 per employee.
For the 2011 relocation budget, the average amount budgeted per move was $23,667.
Once again, thanks to all who participated. Next survey topic: Pay & Benefits Communication.