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| Olivia Cicchini |
This trend has emerged as employees seek to balance professional responsibilities with personal well-being, leveraging technology to stay connected while enjoying new environments.
It’s crucial for employers to know how to properly navigate this to ensure productivity remains high while still keeping staff happy by offering flexible work.
Flexible work is not going away anytime soon. In fact, it’s become a work perk. According to one study, 75
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There are many benefits for workcations. Increased productivity is a big one. A change of scenery can boost creativity and motivation. It can also help reduce stress and burnout, which will enhance the overall well-being of staff.
Here are some other benefits of taking a workcation:
- Enhanced work-life balance: Integrating work with leisure activities creates a healthier work-life balance, effectively reducing burnout and promoting overall well-being.
- Increased job satisfaction: The flexibility to work from various locations significantly increases job satisfaction and morale, creating a more engaged and motivated workforce.
- Stress reduction: The relaxing feeling of being in a vacation setting can significantly lower stress levels, leading to a more focused and serene approach to work.
- Networking opportunities: New environments present unique opportunities to meet and connect with diverse individuals, enriching professional networks and fostering potential collaborations.
- Talent attraction and retention: Offering workcations as a company perk can attract top talent and enhance employee retention, demonstrating a commitment to flexibility and employee well-being.
- Skill development: Exposure to different cultures and environments enhances crucial soft skills such as adaptability, problem-solving and cultural awareness, contributing to overall professional growth.
To manage workcations effectively, employers should strongly consider having these guidelines in place:
- Establish clear policies: Define the parameters for workcations, including eligibility, duration and expectations. It's important that staff understand the process for requesting a workcation.
- Focus on output: Shift the focus from hours worked to the quality and timeliness of deliverables. This approach aligns with the flexibility workcations offer and ensures continued productivity.
- Ensure data security: Implement strong cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive information. Provide guidelines on secure internet connections and data protection practices while working remotely.
- Monitor and evaluate: Regularly assess the impact of workcations on productivity and employee satisfaction. Gather feedback from employees to refine policies and address any challenges.
- Plan for time zone differences: It’s important to set expectations for overlapping work hours if the workcation involves different time zones. Ensure employees know the potential challenges and communicate strategies for effective collaboration.
- Establish communication methods: Determine the preferred communication channels for work-related discussions during workcations. It’s important to ensure that the employee is set up with adequate equipment.
Olivia Cicchini is a human resources and employment law expert at Peninsula Canada, HR consultancy firm.
The opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the author’s firm, its clients, Law360 Canada, LexisNexis Canada or any of its or their respective affiliates. This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal advice.
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