🎒 Microlesson

🪞 Reflect

Have you ever combined a business trip with leisure time? Were you able to be productive and relaxed? Did you keep your employer or client in the loop?

💡 Concept

Trying to balance work and life is not a new quest. But worker strategies to do so are shifting. More and more people are taking workcations—traveling somewhere and working from that destination—or extending a business trip for a few days before or after the work gets done—a practice sometimes referred to as bleisure travel. 

There are benefits to these practices. Employees can work remotely while exploring new and inspiring locations, or, in the case of short bleisure travel, even enjoy a change of scenery without using up precious vacation days.

However, these trends introduce challenges for employers, especially regarding company compliance with tax, immigration, and labor laws. Businesses must adapt by implementing tools and policies to support these practices while ensuring legal compliance.

Here’s how organizations and employees can navigate workcations effectively:

📌 Understand the risks and responsibilities.
Workcations can trigger tax or legal implications if employees work in a different state or country. Companies should educate employees about potential compliance requirements and set clear guidelines for reporting work locations.

🏢 Establish clear policies.
Develop policies addressing workcations and bleisure travel. Specify what is allowed, who bears travel-related costs, and if any changes are required in order to complete or manage work. Collaborating with HR and legal teams will help ensure that these policies align with regional regulations.

💼 Foster open communication.
Encourage employees to discuss workcation plans with their managers. This clarifies expectations, ensures workloads are managed effectively, and helps avoid disruptions during the trip.

Workcations offer exciting opportunities for employees to combine work and leisure while enjoying flexibility. By addressing compliance and setting clear expectations, businesses and employees can embrace this trend successfully.

🎬 Take Action

To get started, employees and organizations can take the following steps:

• Employees: Notify your employer of any workcation plans, including where you’re going and how long you will be there.

• Employers: Introduce or update company policies on remote work and travel to cover compliance and productivity considerations.

• Both: Document the duration and location of work performed outside primary offices.

🧠 Keep Learning

Learn more about the types of policies that impact remote work in the Remote Work Certification program.

✅ Check In

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