Google searches for the term workation are up 455%
As work life balance continues to be a theme at the forefront of the global workforce’s mind and countries open borders to travellers, organisations are increasingly offering ‘workations’ to their employees.
Research conducted by overseas job specialists at Anywork Anywhere revealed that Google searches for the term ‘workation’ have increased by 455% globally so for HR teams, the workation request could soon become as popular as the annual holiday.
A spokesperson from Anywork Anywhere commented, “It’s no surprise to see so many people searching for workations and remote work visas right now, as the importance of work-life balance continues to be amplified globally.”
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“While the term ‘workation’ is relatively new, these findings indicate that they could soon become the new norm, as more countries around the world offer remote work visas and popularity increases.”
What is a workation?
Workation amalgamates the words work and vacation. While that may seem like an oxymoron to some, a workation involves an employee taking a short or long-term trip away from home while still completing their full output of work-related tasks.
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The term is a new one so there’s isn’t a great deal of framework for it. A workation could be a few days or even a few months and the employee could be in their own country or any other.
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What are the benefits
Done well, workations can be a win-win for employers and employees. There are a number of ways changing a work environment can be beneficial, research shows that travel and exposure to various environments can change the brains neural pathways and make people think more creatively.
A workation can increase productivity because employees escape from all their usual home commitments, there’s no daily commute and no distractions from colleagues in the office.
Things to consider
While your employees will likely jump at the idea of the workation, HR teams should be aware that it does require some logistical planning. Anywork Anywhere offers these top tips:
- The logistics
Make sure you fully understand the laws on working in that country before you leave. From how it will affect your tax to the entry fees you need to pay, planning well in advance and perhaps even speaking to a professional can really help.
- Choosing the correct environment
Choosing to spend your workation in a bustling city could be a bad choice if you’re looking to promote relaxation and de-stress. Consider where you’ll be most productive and look for more rural locations if you’re looking for some peace and quiet.
- Consider Wi-Fi connections
The idea of working by the beach is a dream, but do they have internet connection? If you’re still required to have weekly zoom calls with your boss, make sure you’ve researched the area you want to relocate thoroughly beforehand to make sure you have access to a good Wi-Fi network.
- Separate work time from vacation time
While a workation essentially combines both work and pleasure, in order to have a successful experience, it’s important to separate the two. Set your working hours each day and stay committed to your tasks. When you’ve finished for the day, put your laptop away and enjoy your holiday. Whilst some people are great at creating schedules, not checking emails after hours and having days off, others begin to merge their home and work lives which can have a negative impact on health.