Britain is embracing the 'workation' - a term coined by Katherine, 48, who first experienced it while visiting Australia two years ago. She combined her trip with work, staying in different places as petsitter to visit family and friends on long weekends without extra expenses. For Katherine, the "workation" allows for a perfect balance between work and leisure.
As a conference manager at a university, Katherine's role requires her to be in town when organizing events, but she can work from anywhere with a laptop. With no formal policy, managers consider all requests individually, based on trust and autonomy. This approach works for Katherine, who knows her deadlines, role, and needs - they don't change regardless of location.
While only one in eight employers have a formal "workations" policy, research suggests many perceive it positively, citing benefits such as mental health, work-life balance, and increased productivity. The Chartered Management Institute recommends clear rules and active management to give managers the confidence to support their employees.
A recent survey by Grant Thornton found 77% of businesses with a "workations" policy, up from 59% in 2023. A YouGov poll revealed 37% of people who can work remotely are interested in taking a "workation". Travel companies, like Tui, are also catering to these holidaymakers.
Daniel Wheatley, a researcher at the University of Birmingham, notes that the term "workation" reflects a shift towards "work-life blending," where boundaries between life and work become blurred. He attributes this to changes brought about by the Covid pandemic, digital technologies, and increased leisure pursuits.
The growth of knowledge and service work could lead to a full circle return to medieval artisans living in their workshops. However, proper breaks from work are crucial to avoid increased monitoring and disconnection. Ian Brown, managing director for an industrial engineering company, has taken several "workations" to extend his holiday allowance, which now benefits his employees.
By embracing the 'workation', Britain is acknowledging the importance of flexibility, trust, and autonomy in achieving better work-life balance.
As a conference manager at a university, Katherine's role requires her to be in town when organizing events, but she can work from anywhere with a laptop. With no formal policy, managers consider all requests individually, based on trust and autonomy. This approach works for Katherine, who knows her deadlines, role, and needs - they don't change regardless of location.
While only one in eight employers have a formal "workations" policy, research suggests many perceive it positively, citing benefits such as mental health, work-life balance, and increased productivity. The Chartered Management Institute recommends clear rules and active management to give managers the confidence to support their employees.
A recent survey by Grant Thornton found 77% of businesses with a "workations" policy, up from 59% in 2023. A YouGov poll revealed 37% of people who can work remotely are interested in taking a "workation". Travel companies, like Tui, are also catering to these holidaymakers.
Daniel Wheatley, a researcher at the University of Birmingham, notes that the term "workation" reflects a shift towards "work-life blending," where boundaries between life and work become blurred. He attributes this to changes brought about by the Covid pandemic, digital technologies, and increased leisure pursuits.
The growth of knowledge and service work could lead to a full circle return to medieval artisans living in their workshops. However, proper breaks from work are crucial to avoid increased monitoring and disconnection. Ian Brown, managing director for an industrial engineering company, has taken several "workations" to extend his holiday allowance, which now benefits his employees.
By embracing the 'workation', Britain is acknowledging the importance of flexibility, trust, and autonomy in achieving better work-life balance.
. With the rise of remote work, it's exciting to see employers adopting flexible policies that prioritize employee well-being and trust. The benefits of increased productivity, improved mental health, and enhanced work-life balance are undeniable 
.
. As Daniel Wheatley notes, this 'workation' phenomenon reflects a broader shift towards work-life blending, one that requires intentional effort to avoid burnout.
. By embracing autonomy and flexibility, we may be able to create a more sustainable model that acknowledges the importance of downtime and reconnection in maintaining productivity and job satisfaction 
.
! As someone who's worked remotely for a while, I can attest that it's all about finding that sweet spot between productivity and relaxation. For me, it's not about working from anywhere (although, let's be real, being on a beach with my laptop isn't the worst idea 
), but about creating a routine that works for me.
... just kidding! But seriously, I'm all for embracing this trend and seeing how it can benefit everyone involved 
... I mean, on one hand, it's awesome that people can take breaks whenever they want and still get their job done 
. I guess it all depends on how it's implemented... does your employer trust you enough to let you do whatever you want? 
. I love that Grant Thornton's survey shows 77% of businesses are on board with workations now - it's about time! 
It's like the whole world is saying, "Work from anywhere, do your thing!" And honestly, who can blame them? It sounds like a dream come true for Katherine and others who are already making it work. I mean, who needs a formal policy when you've got trust and autonomy on your side?
. We don't want to burn out or get sucked into our work 24/7. Proper breaks are key, and I'm all for that! Ian Brown is a total boss for implementing holiday allowances - now that's what I call innovation!
. It's time to shake off those old 9-to-5 blues and find our own balance. Bring on the workations! 
I think its gonna get crazy with all these 'workations'! 
Imagine bein able to just pick up where u left off at work and continue on ur holiday mode...its like the ultimate work-life blend 
. And who knows, maybe we'll see a rise in medieval-inspired workshops soon 
!
We're not just machines that can keep working 24/7, our mental health matters too! 
And having the freedom to work from anywhere or at any time is amazing, but only if managers trust their employees to get stuff done. It's all about balance, I reckon. 
It's like she gets to have her cake and eat it too - enjoy time with loved ones without breaking the bank 
, while still getting her work done on the side 
and productivity 
. Of course, it's all about finding that balance... 
. It's amazing how much of a difference it can make to your mental health and productivity. Plus, who doesn't love taking breaks to visit family and friends without breaking the bank? 