Research highlights ‘business travel wellbeing gap’ for mobile workers 

UK employers are failing to adequately support staff who travel regularly for work, according to new research that warns of a growing “business travel wellbeing gap” between office-based and mobile employees. 

The findings come from Reinventing the Journey: The Voice of the Field Worker, a report commissioned by workforce travel platform Roomex. It suggests that many organisations lack formal wellbeing measures for employees who spend significant time on the road, despite travel being essential across sectors such as construction, logistics and rail. 

According to the research, almost half (48 per cent) of workers say travel arrangements cause them significant stress, while 60 per cent report they have left or considered leaving a role due to poorly managed travel. A third (33 per cent) say frequent or long-distance travel has negatively affected their work-life balance, and 34 per cent report difficulty accessing healthy food options while away from home. 

The report also found that many employers have yet to introduce structured travel wellbeing measures, such as mandatory rest periods, flexible travel policies or wellness budgets for mobile staff. Among those responsible for booking travel, 58 per cent cited last-minute bookings as a common issue, limiting comfort and choice for workers. 

While workplace wellbeing initiatives have expanded in recent years, the research suggests they are often designed with office-based employees in mind. Roomex said this has contributed to a growing divide between desk-based staff and those whose roles require regular travel. 

Mobile workers in construction, logistics and rail were identified as the most likely to experience fatigue and stress linked to extended time away from home. The report also highlights a strong link between travel experiences and employee retention, with poorly managed travel emerging as a driver of dissatisfaction. 

Keith Watson, chief operating officer at Roomex, said: “People who travel for work are the backbone of so many industries, but they’re often forgotten when it comes to wellbeing. We’ve made great progress supporting mental health and flexibility in the office, but the moment someone hits the road, that support can disappear. Putting wellbeing into travel policies isn’t just the right thing to do; it helps teams feel valued, stay healthier, and stick around.” 

Roomex is calling on employers to integrate wellbeing into travel policies, including measures, such as pre-paid bookings, to reduce financial pressure and digital expense tools to cut administrative burden. The company said this could help ensure mobile workers receive consistent support, regardless of where their work takes them.