What is a Workation – and is it right for you?

The rise of remote working and workation

Attitudes to the way we work have changed rapidly over the last two years. With the rise of new technologies and processes which became indispensable during the Covid pandemic, jobs that were traditionally considered to be office-based desk jobs have evolved so much that they can now be carried out from anywhere in the world. 

With many companies offering a hybrid of remote and in-person work – and 47% of people now allowed to work remotely full-time (according to a survey by Gartner) – employers understand that productivity is no longer synonymous with the nine-to-five grind, and workers can be just as productive, if not even more so, out of the office. 

What is a “workation”?

Yes, a workation is exactly what it sounds like: a hybrid of work and vacation. It’s a telecommute on a grand scale – instead of working from home you’re logging on from your holiday destination. Work from the beach, the mountains, a remote olive grove, or a cocktail bar overlooking the Med… As long as you have a strong internet connection, your imagination is the only limit. This is your opportunity to see the world – or simply experience a different kind of life – without needing to take time off. You take a break from your usual routine and pace of work, but not from the work itself – you could be tanning your toes while closing deals and meeting deadlines.

Who should consider a workation?

Although not every industry is able to offer remote working as an option, for those who have proven over the last two years that they can do their jobs remotely, there’s no reason why it shouldn’t work – especially as these days, performance is increasingly measured on outcomes and results rather than hours of physical presence. 

What are the benefits of a workation?

The rise of the workation has proven to have multiple benefits. 

Increased productivity and motivation

It’s undeniable that a happy employee is a productive employee. Without the pressures and commitments of home life, workers are free to focus on the work and be in the moment – they’re not stopping to put on a load of washing or answer the doorbell or the questions of a colleague at the next desk. It’s also true that allowing employees to take a workation demonstrates trust in their integrity and ability to deliver – leading to greater motivation, accountability and job satisfaction.

Increased creativity

Sometimes it takes a break from routine and a step back to see things in a different way, and suddenly you find the creative juices are flowing. Being close to nature often leads to greater creativity, as does disconnecting from the daily grind and admin involved in ordinary life (“Does the car need a service? I’d better book it in…”).

Improved staff retention

Those who are happy at work tend to stay in their jobs longer, perform better, and contribute to stability in a company. There’s no reason why, if they’re able to do their job from a dream destination, employers shouldn’t give their staff that opportunity. 

Potential downfalls of a workation

As dreamy as it sounds, it’s possible that, if not carefully managed, taking a workation could backfire. 

Less work/life balance

While some people are great at switching off from work in their downtime, others struggle to. It’s possible that on a workation the lines between work and play become blurred, and workers can end up working longer hours and taking fewer mental breaks than they did when they were in the office. 

Lack of access

When away from the comforts of home, it’s possible that workers have less access to the things that allow them to do the job smoothly and efficiently – fast wifi, a quiet workspace, a favourite pen… You never know how important even the smallest things are until they’re inaccessible.

Visa and work permit issues

Legally, working overseas can be tricky territory. When are you a tourist just checking your work emails, and when are you there to work? However, more and more countries are offering remote-work visas since the beginning of the pandemic. 

How to make a workation work for you

Set up for success

Make sure you have all the tools you need to do your job and do it efficiently. Without a good laptop and a strong internet connection, you’re lost in the wilderness.

Communicate, communicate, communicate

When you’re far away from your team, clear communication is more important than ever. Make use of all the collaboration tools that have come to the fore over the last couple of years – MS Teams, Zoom, Trello, Slack and more make it possible to be in constant contact and collaboration. Be mindful of time zones and make sure you’re available when the team expects you to be.

Switch off when you switch off

If you don’t take time to enjoy yourself, what’s the point? Ensure you separate working hours from personal hours, and when you close that laptop, turn your mind to your beautiful surroundings.

With Lazazu your workation dreams can become a reality

Can you think of anything better than a workation in the comfort of your very own home away from home? When you co-own a home with Lazazu, this dream can become a reality. Spain – where many of our magnificent properties are based – is one of the few European countries that offers remote work visas, and we can help you navigate this process. We also ensure that your home is comfortable and well-equipped with all the necessary technology for seamless remote working. 

With co-ownership of a second home you really do have the best of both worlds. The workation dream is within your grasp.

Discover more about Lazazu:

How Lazazu co-ownership works | Frequently asked questions about shared holiday homes | The benefits of fractional ownership | Browse Lazazu’s selection of second homes | The difference between timeshare and co-ownership