Going to Barcelona for a month to work remotely, with your family, at your employer’s expense. That sounds almost too good to be true right? But it isn’t. Remote working can come in many forms and can also be done this way. At least, if you have an employer who fully embraces remote working. I spoke to Sam, who is currently enjoying his time in sunny Barcelona. And he wasn’t the first from the company to do so. He works at Salves, a test consulting company with 130 employees. They did extensive research during corona time to find out what needs there were internally and how to meet them.
What transpired? Remote working was not only the new reality, but also a strong need of many colleagues!
And so Sam went to investigate how they could facilitate this even better as an employer. Through an intermediary, living and working from Barcelona was made possible. You can go there alone, or together with a colleague, friend or family. You just do your own work, only after your workday is over you can go out in Barcelona. When you are in such a beautiful city you soon notice that you get out after your workday, faster than you do at home. You do not have to see everything like a real tourist in a fast pace, but have nice time to discover your temporary home and workplace.
Remote working rules
Per year you may work in Barcelona for 1 month. You get an apartment where you can stay by yourself, but you can also bring someone with you. Everything is then paid for both, even the airfare. The only thing you have to pay yourself is food and drinks, fair enough. Group activities are also organized at the coworking space, it’s up to you whether you want to join them. What is mandatory is self-development training. Which I personally wouldn’t find a punishment, just nice to work on yourself when you are away from your own environment. You can work on your skills, which in turn will help you further in your work. A nice win-win. Already 13 colleagues went and they loved it! More colleagues will be going soon and Sam expects the registrations to keep coming.
Considering they work for clients at Salves, it is important to coordinate with the client in advance. If you are expected at someone’s office, you can’t just stay away. But so far there have not been any clients who did not like the fact that they worked abroad for a while. Which I think also fits the spirit of the times today.
The trigger
“After 2 years of sitting at home during corona, sometimes people get screaming mad” says Sam. That will be recognizable to many people. It was not an easy time. You see the same environment every day, the same desk, have no new stimuli. Very recognizable for me too at least! As an employer you can’t ignore that problem, you have to deal with it.
You want your employees to be comfortable and happy. “Those are doing their jobs well then,” he says. And if they do their job well, then their customers are happy.
And then everyone is happy and the circle is complete. In addition, in challenging times, it is also an interesting way to attract employees. An inspiring story like Sam’s also attracts new people who find this freedom just a bit interesting with an employer.
Even as corona fades back into the background (for now?), remote work will continue to exist. Everyone is looking for a suitable hybrid form of working, and going on a workstation is part of it. A complete return to the office is not desirable, according to several surveys, but there is a need for social contact at the office. The freedom to work remotely from time to time therefore offers a solution. That is why Sam and his colleagues can go away to Spain for a month, recharge completely, enjoy a beautiful place, and spend the rest of the year in the Netherlands.
Expectation vs. reality
For many people, working remotely or going on workation is new. Then it’s hard to know what to expect and what it will really be like. You probably have a certain image of it, but whether that matches reality is always the question. Partly you can read up on it and prepare well, but you also have to experience it to find out. In Sam’s case, his expectations were pretty much in line with reality. He himself has lived abroad for a long time and is therefore used to it.
Above all, it was a lot of fun, the weather was nice and it was nice to get away from the routine.
He personally didn’t find it that exciting, but could imagine that it might be different for other colleagues. Maybe that is the first time traveling alone, or for the first time in a foreign country for some time. Some love being away from home for a while, but others will miss home. That’s why co-working is so great, so you can easily hang out with others, but you can also choose to do your own thing. Besides, a workation is of course temporary. You experience a new environment for a while, but then return to your own place.
I myself have traveled in several ways. Sometimes all by myself, then I had my own apartment, just through Airbnb for example. Other times I needed more company and opted for a hostel. In that case I chose a hostel aimed at working people or an older target group. Then you are with like-minded people and I like that. I haven’t done a coliving yet, but I hear a lot of positive things about it from other experienced travelers. It is also very similar to a hostel. I have also enjoyed a joint work station. This can be with a group of strangers, but you can also feel free to do this with your friends or colleagues. Then you share a big house for a week, all work during the day and then go do fun things afterwards. You can join the group if you feel like it, but are also free to make your own plan.
Would you also like to work remotely in Barcelona just like Sam? A beautiful private chalet near Barcelona with great views
