Some people have been working from home for a decade or more. However, for most of us, home or remote working is still a new experience. So, we are still learning how to make a success of doing so.
But there are signs that people are growing more confident about working this way. The fact that more remote or hybrid workers are booking themselves working holidays is an indication of this.
According to the Virgin O2 Media Remote Working Survey, 27% of the 2,000 British remote workers interviewed stated that they were planning some sort of hybrid holiday. That is to say that they were going to spend some of their annual break working. The vast majority, 76%, said that they were going to tack workdays onto either side of their holiday. On those days, they would stay in their accommodation and work while the rest of the family did something else. Leaving them free in the evenings to enjoy a few extra activities with everyone else.
The fact that this is happening is also reflected in the length of holidays people are taking. Airbnb has reported that nearly 25% of their clients were booking accommodation for 28 days or more. In the UK, the law says companies must provide full-time permanent employees with 28 days of paid leave per year. Most people take this leave in one- or two-week blocks. The fact they are booking for a month indicates that many are using the flexibility of remote working to take longer breaks.
It is a trend that Booking.com has noticed too. To the point where in July they started highlighting and specifically promoting properties that offer longer stays.
How to do it yourself
At the moment, most companies are not objecting to their workers doing this. So, now is the best time to give it a go yourself. Fortunately, with a little bit of planning, it is easy to tack some of your workdays onto the start and end of your holidays. Here are our top tips.
Plan ahead
Letting your boss down is the one thing you absolutely cannot afford to do. If you do that the chances of them asking you to go back to working full-time in the office are high. Plus, if you have already failed to deliver in the past, there is also a chance that you could lose your job.
Prioritise completing your work
For that reason, you must plan ahead. Doing so in a way that makes completing your work the priority. If that means a trip out needs to wait until a non-workday, so be it.
Manage expectations
It is especially important that everyone fully understands and gets on board with the idea that you need to get your work done, no matter what happens. Establishing this before your holiday will ensure there are no arguments while you are away.
Book accommodation that offers a reliable internet connection
Using something like this hotel Wi-Fi comparison table to help you to find and book accommodation that offers a stable internet connection. Without it, most people will be unable to complete their work. Before you book, read recent reviews to double-check what the connection is like for the specific hotel you are planning to stay in.
Have a backup plan
You should also have a backup plan. That way if the hotel´s internet goes down you will immediately be able to set yourself up in another way and continue to work. For most people having a generous data plan and using your phone as a hotspot will work well. But it is also wise to familiarise yourself with the co-working spaces in the area you are planning to stay. Use this article and the apps it recommends to help you to find them and use them effectively.
In addition to having a backup plan, it’s important to ensure you have reliable equipment for staying connected. Devices like portable Wi-Fi routers can be a game-changer, offering flexibility and avoiding the need to rely solely on hotel networks. A popular option is Ryoko, a compact and easy-to-use device that provides secure internet access on the go, allowing you to work without interruption no matter where you are. These portable routers can connect multiple devices at once, ensuring your laptop, tablet, and phone all stay online.
Pack some backup kit
It is also worth asking yourself how you would get your work done if your laptop stopped working. In that situation, having access to a decent tablet that has a keyboard might do the trick. But don´t just assume that it will. Well before your trip, put some time aside to give working with that equipment for a day a try. That way if it does not work out you can go out and buy a second-hand laptop to use as a backup.
Learn to switch off
Our last tip is to perfect the art of switching off. Once your work is done and you are officially off-duty be disciplined. Turn off your devices and focus 100% on your family.
