In a 2023 survey, 4 out of 10 organizations had already or planned to offer their employees “work-vacation” options, commonly called “workations.” Two years later, we wanted to understand the state of this practice, which consists of working for a few days or weeks from a travel destination.
Clearly, there’s appetite for such a practice. And according to a recent EQ Bank survey, half of Quebecers want to travel abroad this year (48%). In this context, workations can allow these workers to extend their trip by a few days. However, when questioning respondents to our survey, it appears that the practice is not fully normalized in companies.
“I’m an IT consultant,” says Jean-Charles Giardina. “I was able to negotiate with clients to go on vacation in France while working part of the time. That was in 2022. Since then, most large companies are reluctant to let us do that.”
As an alternative plan, the consultant chose to take up residence in his cottage for the past 8 months. He negotiated to come to the office only 4 days every two weeks.
“This allows me to live at a more serene pace and enjoy nature and tranquility,” he concludes.
Finding a Balance
Besides consultants, managers seem to have more room to maneuver to free up the necessary remote days to combine travel and work. This is the case for Jean-Christophe Filosa, who leads a team of digital interventionists for the Digital Guardians Foundation.
“My reality as a digital nomad gives me the advantage of being able to work from anywhere and balance vacation and work. I’m director of a network of specialized interventionists to support young people between 14 and 28 years old, in crisis situations or with mental health issues. We’re available 365 days a year, so you have to know how to balance work and vacation.”
The director acknowledges that the practice is not equally distributed throughout the organization.
“This applies more to me and my colleague who is a clinical coordinator. It’s more difficult for my interventionists, even though it’s possible,” he explains, sitting in a café to finalize files, when he was supposed to be off duty.
Vacation is Vacation
Let’s focus, in conclusion, on the 29% of respondents who have no interest in this type of accommodation.
“Vacation, for me, means completely disconnecting,” argues Julie Villeneuve, talent and employer brand director at Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton. “Either I’m 100% on vacation, or I’m 100% at work. It’s really personal for everyone. My employer is very open to remote work abroad, for example, but for me, when I close the computer, I also turn off the phone and put myself in do-not-disturb mode.”
Already benefiting from remote work, the RCGT director finds it easier to disconnect “outside the home.” And therefore, there’s no question of opening the computer when she goes traveling, whether camping, to a hotel, or any other outings. To each their own preferences!
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