You should book a ‘vacci-cation’ before heading back to the office

The pandemic has taken a toll on everyone, mentally and emotionally.

While we can’t see the pandemic was a positive experience by any means, there is one positive – creating a work-life balance for Americans.

With working remotely, employees have been able to create more time to see family, work on mental health and have more free time that would have otherwise been spent commuting to the office.

What is a ‘vacci-cation’?

One of the perks about being able to work remotely is that you can take your office virtually anywhere.

With news that many employees may be headed back into the office relatively soon, many are deciding to take a ‘vacci-cation’, moving their office to a tropical, fun destination for a week or so. Some want to make the most of the “work from home” situation while they can, taking a vacation without using any paid time off.

Others want a change of scenery from their home offices they’ve been sitting in for the past year.

A “work from anywhere” policy

While life may return to normal soon, the ‘vacci-cation’ concept may be a new normal for some companies. Google, for instance, is giving workers up to four weeks to “work from anywhere” time after their return in the fall. Revolut, a U.K financial start-up, will allow workers two months per year for employees to work from anywhere, according to The Washington Post.

As each company has a different vacation policy, the vacci-cation allows those with little PTO to be near loved ones. During the pandemic, many workers moved home or closer to family.

The remote model allows workers to care for sick or loved ones. In a year when social interaction was at a low and anxiety at an all-time high, being able to quarantine with family and friends, while still working, provided a security blanket and supporting resource for many.

For some, the idea of a vacci-cation has become a full-time reality. Many workers relocated their offices to warmer locations, trading in skyscrapers and cold weather for beaches and ninety-degree weather.

A fiscal win

From a financial standpoint, it also provided financial freedom for many. Those who lived and worked in expensive cities were able to relocate to cheaper locations while still maintaining their careers.

“For both white-collar jobs and for lower paying jobs, work from anywhere can enable workers to have more real income if they relocate to cheaper locations,” Prithwiraj Choudhury, associate professor at Harvard Business School told The Washington Post.

The airlines are hopping onto the vacci-cation bandwagon, encouraging travelers to ‘vaccinate their vacation.’ Frontier Airlines is offering 90% off select flights to inspire travelers to work from a remote paradise location.

“We are inviting consumers to take a ‘vacci-cation’ with us – meaning they can vaccinate their trip against change and cancel fees by booking with Frontier,” said Tyri Squyres, vice president of marketing, Frontier Airlines.

Some employees are aware of their company’s plans for return. Others are still waiting to hear. Some have heard they may not get back into the office for another few months. 

Regardless of whichever category you fall into, consider taking one last trip to work wherever you want. As workers are excited to see the world to open up, there is a hope that the option to work remotely will remain.