What Is Discretionary Business Travel?

By Anna Duncan

Discretionary business travel is a type of travel that is made by employees for their own individual purposes. It is not related to any company-mandated tasks and instead is purely for the employee’s own leisure or personal development. Discretionary business travel can be defined as a form of leisure, educational, or personal development travel that is taken by an employee at their own expense and without the approval of their employer.

Discretionary business travel can be beneficial for both the employer and employee in that it can open up new opportunities for growth and learning. Employees who take discretionary business trips gain valuable experience, knowledge, and skills that can help them become more productive in their roles within the company. Additionally, employers are also able to benefit from such trips as it provides them with an opportunity to promote team building and morale among their employees.

Discretionary business travel typically involves airfare, hotel accommodations, meals, car rental or public transportation costs, sightseeing expenses, and other miscellaneous charges. Depending on the type of trip taken, these costs may be partially or fully covered by the company. In some cases, employers may even provide additional perks such as free lodging or discounts on car rentals.

When it comes to discretionary business travel, it’s important to remember that these types of trips are not sanctioned by employers; therefore they should not be considered mandatory. Employees should take care when making decisions about discretionary business trips so they don’t put themselves in a financial situation they can’t manage. Additionally, employees should always keep their employer informed about any planned trips so they can ensure everything is within established company guidelines.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, discretionary business travel is a great way to gain valuable experience and knowledge while also promoting team building among colleagues. It’s important to remember that these types of travels are not mandatory so extra care must be taken when planning and executing them so as not to put oneself in financial hardship. Overall, discretionary business travel offers numerous benefits for both employers and employees alike.