What is a Workation? The Ultimate Guide for 2024

Defining the Workation Concept: What is it? How has it evolved?

As the word itself indicates, a workation combines elements of work and vacation, allowing individuals to work remotely while traveling or staying in a new location. The idea is to balance professional responsibilities with leisure activities, making it an excellent choice for those looking to recharge while staying productive.

According to the State of Hybrid Work 2024 study by Owl Labs, “workations (...) may be on the rise”, with approximately 58% of employees working remotely from places besides a home office or coworking space.

For a successful workation, destinations typically provide reliable Wi-Fi, comfortable workspaces, and access to amenities for relaxation and exploration (including team-building activities) during off-hours. Locations range from beach resorts and mountain cabins, to city apartments with good infrastructure: Bali, Costa Rica, and many scenic regions in the U.S. are amongst the top choices. This trend allows employees to maintain a flexible work schedule while benefiting from a change of scenery. The benefits? It can boost creativity, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being.

How have workations become so popular? 

Initially popularized by freelancers and digital nomads, workations have become mainstream since remote work has become more common after COVID-19, giving people the chance to take a break from their usual routines without taking formal time off the office. Companies and employees alike now recognize the benefits of working from diverse locations, especially as it can improve job satisfaction and reduce burnout. 

How many workation types are there? 

Workations can be categorized into three main types:

1. Short-term Workations (1-2 weeks): Ideal for a quick escape. Teams have a few days of productive work combined with leisure activities. Minimal planning is required, with a focus on local destinations.
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2. Medium-term Workations (a few weeks to a month): Typically involve more complex logistics, often including international travel and accommodations with reliable workspaces.
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3. Long-term Workations (several months): Often taken by freelancers or individuals on extended remote contracts, long-term workations require even greater planning, often involving visas, housing, and tax considerations.

Workations are becoming widely accepted, providing an opportunity for employees to explore the world without taking a full vacation. The greatest advantage? To boost productivity.

Crafting a Workation Policy: Essential Guidelines

With workations becoming more popular as remote and hybrid work options expand, a clear workation policy is essential to support both employee flexibility and company standards. TeamOut has put together the following framework for building an effective workation policy:

• What’s Eligibility Criteria?
  Define employee eligibility based on tenure, role requirements, and performance. Prioritize roles that don’t require constant in-office presence.
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• Expectations & Guidelines
  Specify work hours, time zone requirements, and productivity standards (e.g., regular check-ins, weekly meetings, goal tracking). It’s important to outline necessary security measures like VPN use.
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• Legal & Logistical Considerations
  Address tax implications, insurance coverage, and labor law compliance for work conducted outside primary locations. 
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• Communicating the Policy
  Plan meetings and Q&A sessions to present and clarify these policies. Encourage feedback to address employee concerns and make sure the message gets to everyone across the team.

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How can Workations be Designed to Enhance Team Collaboration and Productivity?

• How to Promote Camaraderie and Idea Sharing
  A workation is the ideal environment to build camaraderie and promote open communication. Shared experiences—like group meals, morning meetings in scenic settings, team-building activities, or planned outings—encourage team members to connect beyond day-to-day work. Consider scheduled brainstorming walks or “sunset debriefs” that allow teammates to discuss ideas informally.
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• Encourage Innovation and Strategic Thinking
  Workations bring fresh perspectives simply by placing employees in a new environment. Plan strategy sessions that encourage big-picture thinking, using the setting to inspire brainstorming for the year. Just a thought: designate some time for “creative free time”, where team members explore the area and reflect individually; they will then bring fresh insights back to the group.
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• Identify Outstanding Activities and Engagement Strategies
  For workations to be impactful, plan activities that encourage both collaboration and relaxation. There’s time for everything, just make sure it is equally divided. Examples include:
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• Outdoor Workshops: Try hosting a workshop outside where each team member leads a mini-session on a relevant skill or topic.
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• Local Adventures with Team-Building Exercises: Arrange an activity that reflects the locale—such as a cooking class in a coastal town or a ropes course in a mountain retreat. These activities foster trust and break down barriers in a relaxed way.
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• Mindfulness and Wellbeing Activities: Incorporate elements like morning yoga sessions, meditation, or nature walks. These activities help teams recharge, which can improve focus and productivity when back to work.
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• Be Aware of Potential Challenges and consider these strategies:
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  • Time Management: Clearly define “working” and “leisure” hours: stay productive and avoid burnout. Set core hours for team meetings, with optional flexible hours for solo tasks.
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  • Internet Connectivity and Workspaces: Many retreats may have limited connectivity or designated workspace. Plan ahead by ensuring the chosen location has reliable Wi-Fi or quiet areas for work.
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  • Define “Unplug” Times: Encourage team members to make time for relaxation and exploration, and enjoy your surroundings fully.

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Choosing the Ideal Workation Destination

• Evaluate Location Factors
  Consider accessibility, infrastructure, cost, and local attractions. Look for affordable destinations with reliable internet, comfortable workspaces, and nearby cultural activities to keep team spirits high. Enquire your team: Do they prefer mountain retreats? Or a camping experience? Are big cities at the top of your list? Regardless of your group size - small or large - there are plenty of options in store. Workations focused on mindfulness or adventure-focused retreats tend to be popular, so get your team’s feedback and pick the perfect location. 
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• Align Venue with Retreat Goals
  Pick a venue that complements your retreat’s objectives. For brainstorming, find a place with collaborative spaces; for relaxation, look for tranquil settings with wellness options like yoga classes, hiking/cycling trails, spa, swimming pool, steam room, fitness center, beautiful surroundings, etc.
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• Ensure Logistical Feasibility
  Make travel and accommodation simple with locations near direct flights, reliable transport, and necessary amenities like on-site meeting rooms and restaurants, private rooms, and places to unwind. Make sure the retreat is accessible for all team members, including wheelchair-friendly spaces and amenities.
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• Optimize the Workspace
  Prioritize well-designed workspaces that support team collaboration. Ideally, look for indoor and outdoor event spaces. Comfortable, flexible setups—like breakout zones and outdoor areas—can make a difference.

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But What Are the Benefits and Drawbacks of Workations?

Workations offer advantages for both employees and employers, promoting work-life balance and productivity. Employees can escape traditional offices and find inspiration in scenic locations like beach resorts or mountain cabins. This change of scenery can lead to improved creativity and reduced burnout. A study by Owl Labs entitled State of Hybrid Work 2024 revealed that this year, managers say their teams are 62% more productive when working hybrid or remotely, a benefit that can be amplified during workations.

However, challenges exist, such as the risk of work-life imbalance, where employees struggle to disconnect in a relaxed setting. Legal and compliance issues also arise when operating in different jurisdictions, alongside cybersecurity concerns when accessing sensitive information remotely.

To measure the impact of workations on employee wellbeing, companies can use surveys to assess job satisfaction and monitor engagement scores. This data can help gauge the success of workation strategies.

To sum up, maintaining a balance between work and leisure is essential. Clear guidelines on work hours and encouraging team bonding activities—like group hikes or beach games—can help maximize the benefits of workations. By thoughtfully addressing these factors, organizations can successfully provide their teams with a combination of productivity and relaxation.

Conclusion: Workation Success and Future Trends

As we move deeper into a hybrid work era, certain workation models have emerged as frontrunners and bring you productivity and all the benefits of a refreshing location change. Success in these models often hinges on clear structure, with companies like Spotify and Shopify exemplifying best practices by implementing flexible work policies. 

According to a study by the Harvard Business Review, clearly defined expectations around work hours and availability are crucial to maintaining productivity during workations while also making sure employees enjoy their time off. For that, it’s crucial to select destinations with reliable infrastructure. One thing is certain: workations will continue evolving with new formats and destinations, as more companies explore “team retreats”.

Forbes notes that workations are becoming a significant factor in talent retention strategies, especially for tech and creative roles, as employees increasingly seek flexibility and lifestyle-oriented work setups. Moreover, sustainability is expected to play a bigger role, with eco-friendly accommodations and digital nomad visa options from countries like Estonia and Barbados gaining popularity. 

From offering remote employees the option to work near cultural landmarks to integrating team-building adventures, a well-planned workation policy can be an invaluable tool for keeping employees engaged and productive.

Workations have thrived in businesses that prioritize flexibility and clarity. For example, successful workation programs like Buffer’s have specific policies that clearly set boundaries between work and personal time. By creating a well-defined framework, companies can replicate these successful elements to enhance employee satisfaction and output.

Emerging trends indicate a continuing rise in workations, with companies experimenting with longer workation periods and hybrid retreats that combine on-site collaboration with remote working days. Owl Labs’ 2024 report showed that 77% of respondents view flexible remote options as a key component of their work-life balance, and this trend supports workation growth as a valuable retention tool. Additionally, a Stanford study found remote workers were 13% more productive, further highlighting workations' potential for improving efficiency.

As workations grow, companies will need to navigate complex legal and logistical considerations, including regional tax laws, cybersecurity, and inclusive accommodations—to make sure your experience runs smoothly. Adopting flexible yet structured workation models will empower organizations to meet evolving employee expectations and strengthen team cohesion - which leads to success!