Last week was apparently the busiest in the calendar year for out of office business meetings in the UK, according to data compiled by serviced apartment company, The Chambers.
As well as collecting information on its own sales figures, The Chambers partnered with Jet2.com, roadside rescue company Green Flag and Best Western”s conference and venue finding service, First Place. Results show that for the second year running this was the most hectic week for meetings, peaking on Wednesday, 2 May.
A number of factors are thought to contribute to the findings: with Easter over most businesses will be playing ”catch up” following the break; children are back at school so most working parents are back to full-time schedules; the conference season is now in full swing; and British Summer Time means people are happier to travel.
Owner of The Chambers, Christine Boothroyd, explained that during the week there were a higher number of one or two-night stays, which is shorter than usual. ”When we asked these business guests the purpose of their visit, more than 80% said it was for an off-site meeting.
”We then looked at other business sectors ” particularly travel ” to see what analysis we could draw and it seems that this might be a trend, rather than just mere coincidence.”
However, according to results from the 11th annual Barclaycard Business survey, Brits are generally happy to leave the office for meetings. Some 72% say they enjoy travelling for business and combine work with pleasure.
The survey also revealed that employees are spending more time away from home than ever before, due to the growing number of business trips and long working hours. One in seven (15%) spends between five and ten nights away from home every month because of business commitments, and more than a third (37%) report typical working days between 11 and 16 hours.
”Travelling for business can be an exciting part of any job,” said director of commercial cards, Denise Leleux. ”However, with work encroaching ever more on home life, it is important to ensure that travelling does not impact negatively on employees” well-being.”