«Workation»: Travelling Far and Wide with your Laptop

After the pandemic, the «workation» trend is now spreading to company employees. On the beach, in a holiday home in the mountains, or on a bike tour with stops at beautiful places. All you need is a laptop, good WLAN and electricity. After all, more than 50% of the Swiss working population already work as «Knowledge Worker», meaning they could theoretically do their work from anywhere.

Productivity, inspiration and work-life balance

Location-independent working has many advantages. Being able to work undisturbed on a project means higher productivity for many. The change of location in combination with new impressions can also have an inspiring effect. In most cases, the main motivation for a «workation» is that it also enables a good work-life balance. Working when the weather is bad and going for a short hike or a few turns on skis on nice days is the ultimate freedom when it comes to combining work and leisure.

Don't get distracted

Of course, it can be very difficult to stay focused on something with a great view. It can be tempting to let your mind wander without the social control of colleagues and superiors. But modern management counteracts this. Instead of demanding productivity from employees on site, in future the result will be assessed much more strongly, no matter where you are. So you can be kind to yourself and stick to your work with a high degree of self-discipline in order to achieve success more quickly.

Solo or team «workation»?

For companies, team workations are an excellent way to strengthen the corporate culture and motivate the team. Shared experiences, team-building activities and the opportunity to work together in a relaxed environment promote a sense of togetherness. The company can communicate its values and goals in a relaxed atmosphere, which improves employee retention and the efficiency of collaboration.

Lone travellers, remote workers and digital nomads
Digital nomads and remote workers are used to working from anywhere. «workations»" enable them to meet like-minded people with whom they can share knowledge and experiences and expand their professional network at the same time. The community actively counteracts the loneliness of freelancers.

Expectations of «Workationers»
During a «workation», remote workers have specific expectations in order to be able to work efficiently and organise their free time in the best possible way.

Fast and reliable internet is crucial for «workationers». A stable internet connection is essential to be able to work effectively.

«Workationers» are often looking for shared experiences and activities that connect them with like-minded people. From skiing, hiking or biking to yoga - shared experiences promote dialogue and enrich the experience.

Professional working environments are a must for «workations». Coworking spaces offer the necessary infrastructure to work productively: Height-adjustable desks, ergonomic office chairs, additional screens, printers and soundproof meeting rooms.

Away from the hustle and bustle, «workationers» are looking for places where they can relax and concentrate. Quiet environments are important for focussed work and to ensure an appropriate work-life balance.

Attractive opportunity, but also risks

When working from home abroad, there are a few important aspects to consider. These include, for example, labour law regulations, tax implications, social insurance and data protection in the host country. Healthcare, communication with the employer and cultural sensitivity should also be carefully considered. Thorough planning helps to minimise these risks and make the most of the «workation». There are now specialised companies that provide professional support to HR departments in Switzerland in sending their employees abroad on workations.

Conclusion

A successful «workation». requires well-organised and disciplined employees, a suitable destination with a reliable communication infrastructure and careful preparation. The benefits include increased motivation, team building and a positive impact on employer branding. However, technical problems, a lack of face-to-face meetings and the merging of work and holiday time can present new challenges.