Do you still ask permission from your boss/manager to go to the dentist during working hours? For some, this is an absolutely normal question; for others, it is completely unthinkable. Nowadays there is a lot of freedom. When you work, how many hours you work and also where you work. Going to the dentist at 11 a.m., playing sports during working hours or working from abroad. It’s all becoming more and more normal. Going on workation is also becoming more and more normal. For some companies, this flexibility was already quite normal, but for many, corona has changed the way we think quite a bit. That you can also do your work from anywhere other than the office has become obvious. And so remote working is suddenly possible for many people. And that doesn’t always have to be from a beautiful destination abroad, but can also be a nice flexi-workplace nearby. The bottom line is that you are free to choose where to work and the way we work will change significantly in 2022.
Working from a tree house
A great example of an employer embracing this way of working is Sprints & Sneakers, a cool growth hacking agency in Amsterdam. I spoke with founder Bart, who is a big proponent of freedom, flexibility and innovation. “Where and when you do your work doesn’t matter, as long as you have happy clients.” This attitude is so woven into the company’s DNA that employees also come up with their own fun ideas for trips. As long as it serves a purpose, they are always open to good suggestions. There is then a discussion of what expenses will be reimbursed, but often that works out.
Bart gave an example of a workation that everyone would have liked to have attended. They went with a group of 15 to work from tree houses. Talk about an inspiring and creative workplace! “A great adventure, which brought the employees even closer together. The atmosphere you have then and the added value it brings to your company is enormous.” Says Bart. Many more fun things are in the pipeline. It suits how they view work. No 9-to-5 mentality or doing work because you get paid for it, but doing meaningful work that gives you energy. And of course your income is important, but having a nice life is even more important. Not counting down to retirement, but enjoying it fully now. Making choices that contribute to your own happiness. So also work how you want and in a way that makes you happy.
Why on workation?
The reason for doing workations here is very clear: it creates connection. It is personal, you share a lot with each other, you live with each other, there is a group feeling. So you have breakfast together, you exercise together, share personal stories and get to know each other really well. The different environment creates creativity and provides an awful lot of positive energy. You give your employees a lot of freedom and trust, and that pays off handsomely. According to Bart, it makes for a strong team. This is absolutely what I hear back from other organizations and participants. Everyone agrees that a work station is much more than just working in a different place for a while. Strong team building, high energy, creativity, productivity and high appreciation for your colleagues and employer are frequently mentioned advantages of working remotely with your team.
It should actually become normal to be able to work remotely from abroad, as long as that is possible for your profession, of course, but we are so used to our old ways of working that it is hard to break those patterns. People are often creatures of habit and are somewhat reluctant to change. Bart told us that he sometimes consciously uses a coffee bar for a video meeting or goes to the gym during the day. This is to make others enthusiastic about it and to literally show them that things can and may be done differently! So that they start thinking outside the box and choose their own way of working.
I myself have noticed that it is now quite normal for me to work somewhere else, but many of my colleagues are used to working in the office or at home.
Recently in my team I also suggested working from a flexi-place and everyone was enthusiastic about it. Especially on days when you have to consult each other a lot for a particular project, for example. The office is already very busy and distracting, so it’s nice to be in a different place. In addition, ordering good coffee and a delicious lunch is not a bad thing either.
It’s more than that one week away
A week of remote work actually goes far beyond that one week. The anticipation alone provides so much energy. The team at Sprints & Sneakers was looking forward to it immensely, they were talking about it and they were planning things with each other. That too has a positive impact. Of course, the week itself is the icing on the cake, but everything around it is just as important. Even afterward, you can still lean on that one fantastic week for weeks, if not years. “Remember when in…”. The experience stays with you for a long time. And let’s face it, in addition to very happy employees, it is also very nice to put your company on the map this way. In a challenging job market it is difficult to find good people. Many companies have many vacancies, including Bart. More and more people want to work remotely. This does not always have to be abroad; a week in the Netherlands can also be wonderful. If you encourage this as an employer, or even better, facilitate it for them, you have an edge over the competition.
The financial picture
Organizations are completely free in what they do and do not reimburse and thus determine what the financial picture of a workation looks like. Generally, employers pay for accommodation, food and some group activities. That’s how it’s done at Sprints & Sneakers, too. If someone likes to go to the beach and drink cocktails, or if someone wants to go to a nice party once, that is at their own expense. No more than logical. Bart also reimburses the tickets, but there are employers where that is at their own expense. This is also because sometimes people want to go to the destination earlier themselves, or stay a little longer. Then it is more convenient to arrange that yourself.
The disadvantages of a workation
Workations are fairly new. People need to get used to this. Traditional employers all the more so. Many companies have to deal not only with the wishes and needs of their own employees, but also with customers. This is a challenge that Bart recognizes. Some customers still like it better when you sit with them in the office.
I recognize that, sitting next to your colleagues in the office is what we know, nice and familiar.
All you can do is offer transparency to others, that helps. Let them know what your plan is and make it clear what you’re going to do for them. But honestly, I work more productively when I’m not disturbed by customers, colleagues and clients. Also, in most cases with a workation, it’s not like you’re gone for weeks or months. A week is manageable and then I think it is perfectly possible to do video meetings. A client or colleague does not have to notice that you are away. In fact, sometimes I don’t tell them I’m in another country and people don’t even notice. Just make sure you have a good connection, that you can be seen on screen and that you can be heard well. So don’t sit at a trendy coffee shop during rush hour when a family with a crying child just came and sat next to you. Or outside, by the beach, where the sun is shining so brightly that you are not visible on camera. Take responsibility and provide a quiet and good workplace. For now, there will be some preconceptions about working from abroad and going on a workstation. Especially if you have nice sunshine in the background, while the other is sitting in the office in the rain in the Netherlands. Breaking patterns takes time, and not everyone can or wants to get used to this relatively new way of working yet. But if this is what you want, both as an employer and as employees, start the conversation with each other and look especially at what is possible. Remote working is really a must! Also want to go on a workstation with your team? Check all our workation locations here.
