Need to get away, but can't completely escape from work? It may be time for a workation.
Blending work and leisure isn't new, but the concept has certainly proliferated since the COVID-19 pandemic catapulted flexible work arrangements. It's easier than ever to take calls and check emails on the go, and for the eager jet-setter, there's even a growing number of amenities and offerings catered to working travelers, like Work from Hyatt passes, Marriott Bonvoy's Work from Anywhere offerings, and even work from paradise packages offered by resorts like Casa de Campo.
Whether your workation is out of necessity or preference, we're here to offer pointers on how to take a productive workation. Ahead, we'll take a look at the pros and cons of taking a workation, offer tips for a productive workation, and consider the big picture of work-life balance.
Workations are not for everyone, nor are they for every role. Here are some of the pros and cons of taking a workation:
The pros of taking a workation include:
Some of the cons of taking a workation to consider:
As discussed earlier, opting to take a workation is a choice to blend work and leisure. For a productive workation, you'll need to keep these arenas as distinct as possible. That's where boundaries come in. Prior to your workation, outline what your work parameters will look like, such as the type of tasks or assignments you can reasonably take on and the amount of time on the workation dedicated to focused work. The following steps can help you hone in on workation boundaries:
For a successful workation, carefully weigh work responsibilities and planned/spontaneous activities. After all, that's the difference between a workation and a business trip.
Now that you've outlined what your work will look like, it's time to think intentionally about the vacation aspect. What are your must-do activities at the destination? What type of memories are you hoping to make? Let the answers to these questions guide you as you plan leisure time. By giving equal weight to the work and vacation aspect of a workation, you're more likely to feel refreshed and recharged, even with a little work thrown into the mix.
For a productive workation, ask yourself these questions:
According to Expedia's 2023 Vacation Deprivation Report, workers want more flexibility and more time off. Among survey respondents around the globe who identified as working too much with little time off—Expedia's definition of "vacation deprivation"—a vast majority said they wished their employers would "alter their time off policies."
Time off from work is an essential part of work-life balance, and it's important for office leaders and policy makers to understand that time off is for more than tropical vacations. Time off can also be used for educational, medical, and personal purposes as well, including going to doctor's appointments, providing caretaking duties for family members, advancing one's hobbies, taking in-person or online courses, or distraction-free rest and relaxation.
So, where do workations enter into the work-life balance conversation? For some people, workations can offer a stress-free blend of fun and productivity, perhaps managing email flow and light tasks reduces the post-vacation workload. If the job role is more involved, perhaps workations look more like a 50-50 blend of work and pleasure. Either way, workations have their place in work-life balance as sometimes circumstances involving scheduling conflicts, deadlines, conferences, etc. lend themselves better to working vacations. Still, know that workations are not a replacement for completely work-free vacations. Complete time off work is necessary to recharge and bring your best self to your roles inside and outside of the workplace.
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