No time for a holiday? A 'workation' could be answer

Imagine this: you're lounging on the beach, waves crashing in the background. A laptop sits on the table next to your iced coffee.

- Mariachiara Barzotto

In between meetings, you dip into the ocean or explore a hiking trail. This is the ideal vision of "workations" - a blend of work and vacation that is gaining popularity worldwide.

A workation allows employees to work remotely from a holiday spot and is part of a larger shift towards more flexible working arrangements, accelerated by the Covid pandemic and the rise of digital technology.

The most obvious benefit is enjoying a new environment while staying productive. The typical work environment can become monotonous, leading to burnout, decreased creativity and dissatisfaction.

Companies can also reap rewards from approving workations among their staff.

One of the most significant advantages is employee retention.

Flexible work arrangements are among the top priorities for employees in today's job market, helping to reduce staff turnover.

Another advantage is the potential for cost savings. With more employees working remotely, companies may reduce their need for large office spaces or the expensive perks offered in corporate environments such as gyms, canteens and the staffing that goes with them.