Allowances: how do business trips work?

More and more companies are investing in increasing expansion. Today's reality is quite different, because there is a need for companies to internationalize. The interest in exploring new markets means traveling to other countries. Travel continues to be valuable for employees. 
In order to carry out certain functions, it is essential for certain companies to have physical representatives to help them expand and internationalize. 
Nowadays, many Portuguese people travel on business frequently and in various areas of work, because they tend to play an important role in the prosperity of companies. 
In the Labor Code, we can see what is said about business trips and what the rules are. In this article, you'll learn everything you need to know about subsistence allowances, business trips and your rights (and duties) if you take them. We'll also explain the differences between business travel in the civil service and the private sector. 

What is business travel?

The concept of "business travel" refers to journeys that an employee makes in order to represent the employer. Larger organizations have several offices around the world, and it may be necessary to travel on business to visit subsidiaries. 
However, it may also be necessary to travel on business for other companies. Business trips are journeys made by a company's employees for professional purposes. 
They aim to build bridges that lead to the growth of the business entity they represent. In their various professional engagements, employees act to further the interests of the employer. This can take many forms, including: 

For companies to expand, it can be essential for professionals to establish contacts. Going on a short-term business trip or an extended trip are strategies that can strengthen the company's presence and reach on the international market. 
These trips generate various benefits for the company and the employee. Business trips are a unique opportunity. They are experiences that lead to personal and professional growth.
 

What does the law say about travel and business trips? The Labor Code provides for the concept of place of work. In article 193, we can find the following information:
           1 - The worker must, in principle, carry out the activity at the place contractually defined, without prejudice to the provisions of the following article;
           2 - The worker is bound to travel inherent to his duties or indispensable to his professional training.

In this way, we can conclude that missions on duty are duly provided for in the legislation. Article 194 sets out the circumstances in which the employer may transfer the employee to another workplace, and the transfer may be temporary or permanent.
In paragraph 4 of the article, we can also take into account the following information: “The employer is responsible for paying the employee's expenses arising from the increase in travel costs and the change of residence or accommodation, in the case of a temporary transfer.”
However, this obligation to cover expenses applies exclusively to the civil service. The content of the public and private sectors differs when it comes to missions.
Article 193 of the Labor Code states that "the worker must, in principle, carry out the activity at the contractually defined location". Despite this information, in the same article we can also see that "the worker is bound to travel inherent to his duties or indispensable to his professional training".
Therefore, despite having to perform their duties at the contractually defined location, workers may need to travel to perform other duties or for professional training reasons.

Missions: differences between public and private
There is no specific legislation on missions in the private sector. Although they are mentioned in the Labor Code, there are no specific rules for companies in this sector to follow.

Therefore, each organization often ends up creating its own internal regulations, in which the defined rules are presented. This is where information about business travel is processed. Despite this reality, employees still have rights and duties when it comes to commuting.

Rights and duties when traveling on business

 
Travel expenses
The main expenses taken into account for allowances in the Civil Service are as follows:

Generally, the private sector sets its own allowances on the basis of this data. As far as the payment of personal income tax and social security is concerned, these allowances are exempt if the amount paid is less than the amount legislated for members of the government. However, if they are higher, they become taxable.

Monitoring and controlling the costs related to these points is essential. Having proof of each cost is also important for efficient management.


source:idealistanews