How to make ‘workcations' work

Fast Company

17 hours ago

Summer is here, and 'workcations,' a blend of business and personal travel, are on the rise.
According to data from Engine, a group travel startup, nearly two-thirds (65%) of full-time employed Gen Z workers say they're likely to combine business travel with leisure travel. Also known as 'bleisure,' this trend sees Gen Zers consistently adding extra nights to their work trips.
Why? For many, it feels like a free trip. Others say it gives them a chance to visit cities they wouldn't normally travel to (35%), helps them maintain work-life balance (33%), and allows them to recharge and reduce stress (33%).
If workcations are here to stay, what makes them successful for both employers and employees? In this article, we share expert and employer insights on how to make workcations work.
Be transparent
I've combined business travel with family adventures across 60-plus countries, working during the mornings and exploring in the afternoons. My best tip? Be open with your company.
I chose roles at global companies because I wanted my family to see the world with me. I told each company up front: 'My kids will travel with me, but it won't conflict with my work.' They were always super supportive.
In the end, blending work and travel not only sustained my career—it raised my kids to be fearless, adaptable global citizens.
Jenny Dearborn, Chief People Strategy Officer and Talent Insights Practice Leader, BTS
Companies may need to establish a formal program
Prudential's Work From Anywhere program allows employees to work fully remotely for up to four weeks in the U.S. Recently, three employees utilized our Work From Anywhere program to work from San Diego for two weeks. They stayed together in a short-term rental, connected and collaborated in person, took time off to explore the city, and even used our volunteer PTO to volunteer with a local nonprofit.
This is an example of our commitment to flexibility and employee well-being, which is supported through comprehensive benefits and programs. I'm glad that this approach continues to help our people drive great outcomes for our business.
Robert Gulliver, Chief Talent & Diversity Officer at Prudential Financial
Time-box to make progress
My wife and I have been living the nomadic lifestyle for about 10 years now. If you're traveling every few days, it's almost impossible to be truly productive. We stay in each place for at least two weeks, but ideally for one to three months.
While it's possible to respond to emails and chats and do other busy work while in transit, I've found that it's crucial to build in workdays while traveling.
These are days with zero plans other than work. Or at least, mornings with zero plans. If we're going to explore in the afternoon, I'll block about four hours in the morning to get some work done. I'll spend the first hour responding to emails and any unanswered support questions. Then I'll have three hours to focus on one or more larger projects.
Time-boxing allows me to make significant progress in a short amount of time. I know I've only got a few hours, so I work quickly and efficiently. I'm far more productive when I know time is limited, and I use that time much more effectively.
Address resources, needs, and unhook
The secret to recharging your batteries is ensuring that you fill three specific buckets, referred to as the ReNU buckets. The 'Re' in ReNU stands for resources. To refresh yourself in your leisure time, you need to ensure that you replenish the resources that get depleted at work.
The 'N' stands for needs. To get a boost in your leisure time, you need to satisfy your physical need for sleep and your psychological needs, such as the need for autonomy.
The 'U' stands for unhooking, which involves psychologically detaching from work. It's not enough to physically leave the office; you must mentally leave the office.
Workcations won't be recharging because they don't allow you to fill the ReNU buckets. By continuing to work, you fail to replenish depleted work resources, and are likely to feel just as run down after a workcation as you felt before it.
Jamie Gruman, PhD, Professor and Senior Research Fellow, Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics, University of Guelph
Consider embracing a workcation lifestyle
Back in 2020, I was seeing my coaching and therapy clients in person, rushing between meetings, navigating packed sidewalks. It was a life I had carefully built. But when the world changed, I realized I was ready for something different.
So I packed my laptop and headed west to Utah. Between client sessions, I explored hiking trails instead of crowded streets, soaking in the fresh air and wide-open views. After nine weeks, I decided to sell most of my belongings, let go of my office lease, and drive cross-country. I was thinking, 'Why wait until retirement to live in the places I love?'
For the past four years, I've embraced a flexible, minimalist lifestyle while working with clients online. Do I still miss in-person sessions sometimes? Absolutely. But being able to show up fully for my clients and live a life aligned with my values has been an incredible gift.
Find accommodations with strong Wi-Fi
I help travelers experience both remote adventure and refined comfort across Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet. As someone who manages international clients year-round, I find that picking accommodations that are more than just 'Wi-Fi friendly' is essential to a successful workcation.
You'll need space, quiet, and reliable backup if you're on video calls when blending work and travel. My top tip for balancing work and exploration is to find a strong hotel Wi-Fi connection.
Treat workcations like a rhythm
My family and I just returned from two months at sea—all while working remotely and world-schooling our then-6-year-old daughter.
My top tip? Having set 'office hours' on sea days helped us maintain structure while still leaving room for the spontaneity and joy of travel. Even better, not having to manage the daily demands of our at-home lifestyle—cooking, cleaning, and laundry, all of which were taken care of on board—gave us a surprising amount of extra free time we hadn't anticipated.
Treat workcations like a rhythm, and be willing to make adjustments. By clearly separating time for work, time for exploration, and planning ahead with your clients or team, you can be both present and productive.