For many, a 'workation' has become the ultimate dream of achieving a better balance between work and leisure. For Katherine, 48, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience she had while visiting Australia, where she managed to extend her trip by two weeks and work remotely from her friend's house.
The concept of combining work with travel is becoming increasingly popular, with research from the Chartered Management Institute revealing that one in eight employers now have formal policies on 'workations', allowing employees to take extended breaks from work. This shift towards flexibility reflects a broader cultural change, where people are prioritizing their mental health and overall wellbeing.
The benefits of 'workations' are clear, with many citing improved work-life balance as the main advantage. For Petra Wilton, director of policy and external affairs at the CMI, it's essential for employers to put in place clear rules and actively manage them to give managers confidence in supporting their employees.
Travel companies are also jumping on the bandwagon, with Tui launching a 'workation' page advertising handpicked hotels perfect for a working holiday. This trend is part of a growing shift towards "work-life blending", where boundaries between work and leisure are becoming increasingly blurred.
Daniel Wheatley, a researcher at the University of Birmingham's management department, notes that the term "workation" was relatively new to academic circles until the Covid-19 pandemic, which accelerated advances in digital technologies and travel. The concept reflects a growing culture of prioritizing life over work, with many employees seeking more flexible arrangements.
However, there are concerns about the impact on society, particularly those who experience digital exclusion and precarity. Ian Brown, managing director for an industrial engineering company, has taken several 'workations' to extend his holiday allowance and now offers this perk to his employees.
The benefits of 'workations' go beyond just personal gain. By giving employees more autonomy over their work schedules, employers can foster a culture of trust and reciprocity, leading to increased productivity and job satisfaction. As Brown notes, "it does feel that you've got more time away from the office space than normal – it takes you out of that environment, you're away and doing something you enjoy."
The concept of combining work with travel is becoming increasingly popular, with research from the Chartered Management Institute revealing that one in eight employers now have formal policies on 'workations', allowing employees to take extended breaks from work. This shift towards flexibility reflects a broader cultural change, where people are prioritizing their mental health and overall wellbeing.
The benefits of 'workations' are clear, with many citing improved work-life balance as the main advantage. For Petra Wilton, director of policy and external affairs at the CMI, it's essential for employers to put in place clear rules and actively manage them to give managers confidence in supporting their employees.
Travel companies are also jumping on the bandwagon, with Tui launching a 'workation' page advertising handpicked hotels perfect for a working holiday. This trend is part of a growing shift towards "work-life blending", where boundaries between work and leisure are becoming increasingly blurred.
Daniel Wheatley, a researcher at the University of Birmingham's management department, notes that the term "workation" was relatively new to academic circles until the Covid-19 pandemic, which accelerated advances in digital technologies and travel. The concept reflects a growing culture of prioritizing life over work, with many employees seeking more flexible arrangements.
However, there are concerns about the impact on society, particularly those who experience digital exclusion and precarity. Ian Brown, managing director for an industrial engineering company, has taken several 'workations' to extend his holiday allowance and now offers this perk to his employees.
The benefits of 'workations' go beyond just personal gain. By giving employees more autonomy over their work schedules, employers can foster a culture of trust and reciprocity, leading to increased productivity and job satisfaction. As Brown notes, "it does feel that you've got more time away from the office space than normal – it takes you out of that environment, you're away and doing something you enjoy."
I mean, don't get me wrong, who doesn't love a good vacation? But is it really the answer to achieving work-life balance? I think there's just too many variables at play here - like, what about people who can't take time off without impacting their business or clients? And what about those on the opposite end of the spectrum who are struggling to keep up with work demands? 
Plus, I'm not sure how sustainable this 'work-life blending' culture is going to be. It sounds like a recipe for burnout to me... 
Still, I guess it's great that employers are open to experimenting with new policies and giving employees more autonomy. Maybe it'll pay off in the end? 
. I mean, who needs a 9-to-5 when you can explore new places and recharge? Plus, its awesome that companies like Tui are getting in on the action by offering 'workation' packages - more flexibility means happier employees, am I right? 
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... I think what's really cool is how it's not just about taking a break but actually creating a better life balance. Like, who doesn't want to explore new places while still getting their job done? 
But yeah, the thing that's got me thinking is how this could impact remote work in general. I mean, if everyone starts doing this, will it become the norm and we'll just be expected to work from anywhere? 
They let people escape their daily grind and recharge. It's not just about having a better work-life balance, but also mental health, right? 
Like, who needs work when you can have beach time or hike in the mountains? 
It's like the ultimate flex. And it's not just about the personal gain either, but also about creating a healthier work-life balance. I feel like we're living in a time where people are finally prioritizing their mental health and wellbeing, and workations is just one way to make that happen.
️. It's not just about booking a hotel room anymore, it's about finding places that are perfect for remote workers. And I think it's awesome that some companies are offering 'workations' as a perk. Like, who wouldn't want to take an extra week off and still get paid? 
It's all about trust and reciprocity, right? If you give ppl the freedom to work from anywhere, they're gonna do their best work... and be happier for it! 
But at the same time, I can see why there might be concerns about digital exclusion and precarity. We need to make sure everyone has access to these opportunities, regardless of their situation. Maybe employers could offer more flexible arrangements for people who are struggling? Or, you know, just take some extra precautions to ensure everyone's digital footprint is secure? 
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And what about people who can't afford to travel or don't have access to reliable internet? It sounds like a luxury perk for those in the right position. Also, how does this impact remote work arrangements that already exist? Is it really more flexible than just working from home? Need some sources on this one... 
. Employers need to be responsible and ensure that employees aren't leaving their teams in the lurch, you know? It's not all sunshine and rainbows about workations... 
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I'm all for it, but let's not forget about the flip side - are these 'workations' gonna create a whole new era of burnout? 
I'm still waiting to see how this plays out in practice...
. Petra Wilton makes a solid point about needing clear rules and management in place, though. You don't wanna have some free-for-all where people just take off whenever they feel like it 
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! But yeah, we gotta consider the impact on those who might be left behind, especially with digital exclusion and precarity being a thing. We need to make sure everyone's got access to these flexible work arrangements.