The term workation has only recently begun to appear more frequently. In this article, you will learn what a workation is, the advantages of this event format and how you can integrate it into your company culture so that the team supports the idea and new, innovative ideas emerge.
What is a workation?
A workation is the combination of vacation and work at a different location, either alone or with the team. It combines work with travel and relaxation.
In most typical vacation destinations, for example, people work half of the day and enjoy their free time in the other half.
This offers the chance to continue working from a different location, while at the same time giving you the opportunity to discover new places and get to know other cultures. Workstations are becoming increasingly popular as more and more people have the opportunity to work from anywhere and as they allow them to combine their working day with traveling.
Is workation working time?
Yes, in most cases a workation counts as working time – at least the part where work is actually done. The time outside the work phase is not normally considered working time. However, this depends on your arrangement with your employer. Important prerequisite: You must of course be able to work from any location and you must also be able to fulfill the obligations in your employment contract.
Many employers also consider the entire workation with the team, similar to a company outing, as regular working time, as ideas are also developed outside of working hours.
Do I have to take part in a workation?
No, not as a rule. Your employer cannot force you to participate during your free time due to your personal rights.
Workations with the team
A workation with the team is an exciting format, as different ideas emerge in a new environment and creativity and inspiration blossom through new impulses.
Traveling with the team has a great impact on team bonding and is a way for teams to come together, especially in the kick-off phase or during a particularly challenging period. This can bring teams back into a strong performance phase.
For remote-first companies, a workation is often the only event where everyone from the team can come together in one place and work together.
Here we have explained the process of a workation in more detail.
How do I plan a workation with the team?
To plan a workation, there are a few important steps that you should consider:
- Set yourself goals: Before you start planning, you should be clear about what you expect from your workation and what your goals are. For example, do you want to advance your career, acquire new skills or simply enjoy the freedom of being able to work from anywhere? By setting your goals, you can better focus on planning and ensure that your workation meets your expectations.
- Choose a location: The location is an important factor when planning a workation. You should think about where you would like to go and what requirements the location will place on your work. Factors such as the availability of coworking spaces, internet connections, accommodation and leisure activities are taken into account.
- Clarify your working conditions: Before you start your workation, you should make sure that you have made all the necessary agreements with your employer. Clarify how much time you will be working during your workation and what demands will be placed on you.
- Book your accommodation: As soon as you know where you want to go, you should book your accommodation. There are various options, such as conference hotels, vacation apartments or even coworking spaces that offer overnight accommodation. Choose accommodation that meets your requirements and is close to coworking spaces and other facilities that are important for your work.
- Create a schedule: To make sure you stay productive during your workation, it’s important to create a schedule. Determine when you want to work and when you want to have free time, and also plan breaks and leisure activities.
- Pack your things: Before you set off, make sure you have everything you need for your workation. Remember that you will probably be away longer than on a normal vacation, so you should pack enough clothes and other important items. Don’t forget to take your work equipment, such as laptops and other electronic devices, with you so that you can remain productive during your workation.
- Take care of the travel planning: As soon as you have booked your location and accommodation, you should take care of the travel planning. Choose a suitable mode of travel, book flights or train tickets and plan how you will get from the airport or train station to your accommodation.
- Be flexible: A workation is a great way to discover new places and get to know other cultures, but it is also important to remain flexible. If things change or unexpected challenges arise, you should adapt your plans and make the best of them.
How do I find the right Workation location?
First of all, you should consider what kind of workation you would like to experience. Are you looking for a secluded and quiet environment that inspires you to get creative? Or do you prefer a centrally located hotel that offers you everything you need for a productive working atmosphere? Once you know your preferences, you can search for suitable workstation locations. Many hotels, accommodation providers and tour operators offer special workation packages.
You can find suitable locations at meetreet, for example, here are some examples:
Conclusion Workation
Workstations are an exciting way to replace everyday office life and work on creative ideas with a team or alone in a new environment. A workation can be the right setting, especially if you feel like the ceiling is falling on your head in the office or you want to start a new project or change the team dynamic.
With over 400 curated locations, we can help you with your planning and location search.
