International Travel Awareness: Essential Information for Business Travelers Regarding Time Zones When Venturing Across Borders
The clocks are being set forward to daylight saving time this weekend, and for businesses and travelers, this shift can bring about a series of challenges. Here's what you need to know.
Firstly, the time change can significantly impact meeting schedules, shifting them to late evening or early morning hours. This can disrupt both sleep patterns and regular work hours, making it crucial for companies to establish clear guidelines for recording working hours. Ensuring that calendar systems and time tracking tools correctly account for the change is essential to avoid confusion and potential disputes.
Business travel has reached a record high, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), and the APAC region leads the way. Singapore, China, and Japan dominate the region in business travel, with China, Japan, and Australia being the three countries with the highest business travel participation.
The time change can also affect overtime rules or break times for employees working together in countries with different changes. For instance, the USA and Canada change their clocks earlier for daylight saving time than Europe, on the second Sunday in March. This difference can lead to complexities in scheduling international meetings, making careful checking of the time difference a necessity.
Another area that requires attention is travel expense accounting. In Germany, for example, the subsistence allowance is based on the duration of the trip. If a business trip that normally lasts eight hours and qualifies for a 14 euro subsistence allowance could be shortened to seven hours by the time change, the allowance may no longer be applicable. Companies should carefully review their accounting guidelines for early morning or late evening trips due to the time change.
Cybersecurity is another concern for businesses during business travel. Companies are implementing strict guidelines to protect against cyber attacks during travel, recognising the increased vulnerability that comes with being on the move.
For those who set off early in the morning for a business meeting or have a tightly scheduled itinerary, the time change can be particularly stressful when scheduling appointments, travel, or expense accounting. The German-language service and news portal provides valuable information about life and work abroad, offering insights and advice for navigating these challenges.
It's important to note that not all countries observe daylight saving time. Some countries, such as India and Thailand, do not make the switch, which can further complicate international travel and meetings.
In conclusion, the time change can present various challenges for businesses and travelers. By being aware of these issues and taking proactive steps to address them, companies can minimise disruptions and ensure a smooth transition.
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