Everything you need to know about workstations
Workcations are all the buzz and for good reasons. Over the recent years, employees and employers have warmed up to the idea of a workcation. A vacation that also involves work. But how did this trend start, and why should you keep an eye out for it?
The rise of digital nomads
One of the good things about COVID-19 is that it taught us how so many jobs don’t require us to be in an office 24/7. As a result, employees have started preferring work-from-home options, and companies have begun to offer more remote work opportunities. A recent study by Gartner found that 82% of organizations will allow remote work post-COVID pandemic. This has given rise to a new breed of workers – digital nomads. These are people who can work from anywhere in the world, as long as they have an internet connection. And this is where workcations come in.
What is a workcation?
A workcation is a vacation where you mix business with pleasure. That means, instead of completely taking time off from work, you take your work with you on vacation. The concept of a workcation is nothing new. For years, people have been combining business trips with leisure travel. But what has changed is the way we work now. With more and more people working remotely, it has become easier to take your work with you wherever you go.
So, what’s in it for your company?
There are a few benefits of encouraging workcations for your company. First of all, it can help with employee retention. If your employees feel free to take their work with them on vacation, they’re less likely to leave your company in search of greener pastures. Secondly, workcations can also help boost productivity. Employees on vacation are usually more relaxed and happy, which leads to better work quality. And last but not least, promoting workcations can also help improve your company’s image and attract top talent.
A study by Harvard Business School found that companies that offer more flexible work options are seen as more attractive to job seekers.
So, should you encourage your employees to take workcations?
The answer is yes! Workcations can be a win-win for your employees and your company if done right. Just set clear guidelines and expectations, so your employees know what’s expected of them while on vacation.
If you’re thinking of implementing a workcation policy at your company, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First, ensure you have the right tools and infrastructure in place. That means your employees should have access to the necessary resources and equipment to do their job while on vacation. Secondly, you need to set clear guidelines and expectations. Your employees should know what’s expected of them while on vacation. And last but not least, you need to ensure your employees are taking a vacation. In other words, don’t let workcations turn into work-from-home trips.
How does the financial side of a workcation work?
One of the things that many companies struggle with when entertaining the idea of a workcation is how much to pay their employees. Do you pay wages by assuming the employee is on vacation, or do you pay them as you would regularly?
When it comes to workcations pay, there are two schools of thought. The first is to continue paying your employees their regular salary simply. After all, they are still working and should be compensated accordingly. The second option is to outsource your employees’ wages. This means that you would only pay your employees for their work while on vacation. For example, if an employee takes a week-long workcation and works for four hours each day, you would only pay them for those four hours of work.
There are pros and cons to both approaches. If you continue paying your employees their regular salary, you risk them not taking a vacation. On the other hand, if you choose to outsource your employees’ wages, you may end up paying more than you need to.
So, what’s the best approach?
The best approach depends on your company’s needs and budget. If you have the budget to continue paying your employees their regular salary, that’s probably the best option. However, if you’re working with a tight budget, outsourcing your employees’ wages may be the better choice. At the end of the day, it’s up to you to decide what’s best for your company. Just make sure to weigh all of your options before making a decision.
Workcations are a great way to promote productivity and employee retention while improving your company’s image. But before you implement a workcation policy, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First, ensure you have the right tools and infrastructure in place. Secondly, set clear guidelines and expectations for your employees. And last but not least, ensure your employees are taking a vacation. If you do all these things, workcations can be great for your company.
