Should a guest join your business trip?

Bringing your significant other on a business trip might sound like a no-brainer. The hotel room and rental car are already paid for. Your loved one can be a companion when you have down time, as well as a trusted sounding board for ideas in between meetings.

But there are potential pitfalls. If you’re working long hours, is your partner OK with dining and sightseeing alone? If it’s appropriate to bring a date to business dinners and cocktail parties, is your significant other comfortable socializing with your colleagues?

Here’s some business trip tips.

Communication

Make sure the person tagging along knows what to expect.

“It’s a work trip for one of you and your time will reflect that,” said Jesse Ghiorzi, a senior manager in brand development. “You can do your best to spend time with your partner, but prepare yourselves to be apart and view the time together as a bonus.”

Support, social gatherings

Significant others can be a huge help on business trips. Jill Bong, an entrepreneur who sells a product for chicken farmers, says her husband not only chauffeurs her, but he also “offers ideas and an alternative view.”

But social gatherings can go either way. “If your spouse is ... reserved or reluctant to attend the organized social functions, you may feel the need to stay close to your spouse instead of meeting new contacts and making a good impression on existing clients,” said Diane Gottsman, a corporate etiquette expert.

Be inclusive

If you’re planning a retreat or gathering where employees can bring a guest, be inclusive.

“If you go the traditional route and organize ‘shopping trips for the wives,’ or promote it as a ‘couples trip,’ it may discourage qualified people from coming on the trip, which is bad for both their careers and your company,” said COO Diane Danielson.

Here company uses neutral language to describe who may come as guests.