Absolutely, sponsoring international trips as part of an employee engagement initiative is a great idea. It can serve as a reward for top performers and an incentive for others. However, there are certain do's and don'ts that you need to keep in mind:
✅ Do's:
1. Clearly Define Eligibility: Define criteria for who would be eligible for these trips. This could be based on performance, tenure, or other factors relevant to your organization.
2. Tax Implications: Be aware of taxation laws related to such benefits. In India, such trips could be considered as perquisites and may be taxable under the head 'Income from Salaries'. Consult with your finance team or a tax consultant for clarity.
3. Insurance Coverage: Ensure all traveling employees are covered under a corporate travel insurance policy. This should cover medical emergencies, travel uncertainties, and other unforeseen incidents.
4. Clear Communication: Clearly communicate the details, purpose, and expectations of the trip to the employees. It should be positioned as a reward and not as an obligatory activity.
❌ Don'ts:
1. Don't Discriminate: Ensure the selection process for these trips is fair, transparent, and unbiased. It should not look discriminatory based on gender, age, or other protected characteristics.
2. Don't Ignore Feedback: After the trip, gather feedback from the participants to understand their experiences and make improvements for future initiatives.
Regarding your question about such practices being followed in India, yes, many companies, especially in the IT and consulting sectors, do sponsor international trips for their employees. These are usually packaged as 'reward and recognition' initiatives or as learning and development opportunities. However, the specifics can vary from company to company.
Lastly, there are numerous companies that provide end-to-end support for planning such trips. They take care of logistics, itineraries, accommodations, and other travel-related aspects. A couple of examples are Thomas Cook and Cox & Kings.
Please do remember that while this is a wonderful initiative, it should be planned and executed keeping in mind the financial health of your organization.