Taking good care of your employees isn’t a new concept, but companies are becoming increasingly better and more open-minded about it. The pandemic has greatly accelerated flexible work arrangements, and with that, the “workation” trend and working as a digital nomad. There’s still a labor shortage, which makes what you have to offer as an employer even more important. Providing the flexibility and freedom for workations can make a company more attractive. Of course, it has to be a good fit for the organization, and the work must be suitable for remote work. Is this something you’d like to explore? Start the conversation. You never know what’s possible—or where the conversation might lead.
Starting the conversation with your employer
I regularly talk to people who’ve left “under the radar,” usually because they don’t want the hassle or to face disapproving looks from coworkers. It’s a shame, because honesty is essential for mutual trust. At the same time, I do understand: if your job doesn’t really depend on where you work, you just want to be able to leave without any hassle. Let me be clear: I’m not in favor of moving abroad without informing your employer. In some cases, that can even carry risks—for example, if company policy, insurance, or tax implications don’t align with your plans.
So start the conversation and explain your needs and wishes. Explain why you’d like to do this. Prepare thoroughly and make sure you know what to consider when planning a workation. Then you can bring your manager or supervisor on board. They might not be entirely sure what to expect either, so a clear explanation will help paint a clear picture of the situation. Below, you’ll find some tips on how to prepare for that conversation.
Tip 1: Check the workation rules
Check whether there is already a policy in place for working from abroad. Large organizations often have a policy, sometimes even in writing. For small and medium-sized businesses, this is less clearly defined, but that is precisely why it’s a good idea to discuss the possibilities. The company can decide whether or not to allow it. To do this, contact HR or your manager.
Tip 2: Prepare and write it down
Write down exactly what points you want to discuss. It helps a lot to put this down on paper; that way, you can be sure you won’t forget anything during the conversation itself—which can happen in the heat of the moment. Ask yourself why you want to do this and what your motivation is. For me, it was a tremendous need for freedom, new challenges, and the positive energy of a different environment.
Tip 3: Destination and Time of Year
In addition to your motivation, you’ll also discuss how long you want to be away, what destination you have in mind, and where you’ll be staying. That plan doesn’t have to be set in stone yet—in fact, don’t book anything until you’ve received approval. Keep the time difference in mind: your colleagues typically work from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and to communicate effectively with them, you’ll want to work primarily during those hours. It’s also not a good idea to plan your trip during the busiest time of the year or when you’re needed at the office. Plan around those times.
Tip 4: Organizing Your Workweek
Decide what your work-life balance will look like. I often take an extra day off when I’m on a workation, so I have a little more time for fun things. Or you could take some unpaid leave. Discuss this with your employer and coworkers—though, of course, you should always do that anyway. This will give you a clear picture of your workweek, allowing you to plan your free time and activities around it.
Tip 5: Arranging Your Stay
It’s not much different from arranging a vacation stay, but there are a few things to keep in mind if you’re going to be working from abroad. Good Wi-Fi is available almost everywhere these days, but check reviews to see if the quality is actually good, and contact the location if necessary. Comments like “the Wi-Fi kept cutting out” are a red flag. I personally always prefer to book an apartment or hostel with a comfortable desk, so I don’t have to go to a coworking space every day—though that’s also a lot of fun. And in case it isn’t clear yet: don’t stay out in the middle of nowhere. It’s fun for a vacation, but not practical if there’s no Wi-Fi or cell service.
Tip 6: Take care of the practical details: contract, insurance, and taxes
This is the point that’s sometimes overlooked, but it’s just as important as the rest. Before you leave, there are a few things you’ll want to be clear about:
- Put agreements in writing. A verbal agreement is fine, but a brief confirmation via email or an addendum to your contract will prevent misunderstandings later on—for both you and your employer.
- Check your insurance policies. Travel insurance often does not cover work abroad, and your health insurance may have restrictions if you stay outside the Netherlands for an extended period. Be sure to check this before you leave.
- Ask about the tax implications. If you’re working abroad for an extended period, this may have implications for income tax and social security, depending on the country and the length of your stay. This is something both you and your employer will want to know about before you leave; if necessary, check with the Tax Authority or a consultant.
- Discuss a trial period. If this is your employer’s first time trying this, suggest starting with a shorter period. That makes it easier for them to say yes, and gives both of you a chance to see how it works out in practice.
Asking permission at work
To be honest, when I was still working as an employee years ago and asked if I could work from Spain for 3 (!) months, I was pretty nervous. It’s actually kind of silly, because I already knew that others were also working from abroad for longer periods or even permanently. But still. It’s always a bit nerve-wracking. But there was really no need to worry—it was a very pleasant conversation, and everything went smoothly.
I immediately mentioned that I had thought about the key factors, such as the work environment and accessibility, and that did help.
I was even given the opportunity to temporarily cut back on my hours, which was exactly what I wanted. As a result, I was working three days a week at the time. I can tell you that I was absolutely thrilled—four days a week to explore Spain. Doing fun things, enjoying a day at the beach. Since it was temporary, I didn’t mind having a little less income.
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