Embracing Workcations: How Hybrid Working Enables Holiday Flexibility
For many companies and their teams, the new era of ‘work from anywhere’ is offering professionals location flexibility. Families can now travel more easily, as work can be managed alongside holidays without rushing or postponing plans. Now, professionals can balance work and family trips without compromising either.
Workcations, where travellers combine work and leisure at their destinations to prolong holidays, have exploded in popularity since hybrid working became the popular working model for many. Thanks to networks like International Workplace Group (IWG) - with 5,000+ flexible workspace locations in more than 120 countries - employees can work from a professional workspace whilst travelling, which means they are free from family distractions and have an optimal environment for productivity.
Recent research from IWG, the world’s largest platform for work and provider of flexible workspace, revealed the rising popularity of workcations among white-collar office workers. Specifically, 78% of surveyed workers view a ‘work from anywhere’ policy as a significant factor when considering a new job. Among hybrid workers, 87% say this flexibility boosts their productivity. Additionally, 85% report reduced burnout and 87% note improved work-life balance due to remote work options.
Adopting flexible workspaces as part of a hybrid approach can significantly boost productivity. This is according to the latest IWG Hybrid Working Productivity Report, produced with global consultancy Arup. A Workspace in a more convenient location allows people to work closer to where they are, whether at home or on a workcation. By improving their work-life balance, people can work closer to home and holiday homes, seeing more of their families and friends whilst working more productively, no matter where they are. Happy employees are productive employees.
Workplace flexibility is also proving essential for employee retention. Flexible arrangements can reduce voluntary turnover rates by up to 20%, with employees three times more likely to stay in roles that offer a range of working options. With this in mind, IWG has added 899 new centres to its network in 2024 alone, including the world’s leading ‘workcation’ cities as well as smaller, undiscovered gems, allowing professionals the freedom to work in a convenient office wherever they are
Mark Dixon, Founder and CEO of IWG, said:
“We’re seeing more workers than ever extending their trips to work remotely or choosing to spend longer periods abroad as digital nomads. Thanks to hybrid working and cloud technology, employees now have the freedom to work wherever and whenever suits them best – whether that’s a local flexible workspace or a co-working centre on the other side of the world. For many, the days of long daily commutes are over, and there is more freedom to work in new locations.
This trend is here to stay. Many companies are adopting flexible working and WFA policies, especially during holiday periods, and are doing so for the long term. These policies improve work-life balance, reduce burnout, and deliver significant productivity gains. In fact, our recent report with Arup shows that empowering employees to use local workspaces and offices as part of their work location strategy could boost productivity by 11% over the next five years. This makes it a clear win-win for both employees and employers in the global battle for talent.
Workcations offer a win-win situation for both individuals and destinations. Professionals enjoy a refreshing change of scenery, leading to improved work-life balance and increased productivity. Destinations benefit from increased tourism revenue and longer visitor stays. This injects vibrancy into local communities through interaction with remote workers.
Hybrid work is growing, and South Africa is poised to become a leading workcation destination. The country's diverse landscapes, vibrant cultures, and increasing infrastructure offer digital nomads, remote workers, and local professionals the perfect blend of work and play.
To find out more and book your next workcation space, head to:www.iwgplc.com
ENDS
About International Workplace Group PLC
International Workplace Group (IWG) is the world’s leading platform for work enabling companies of all sizes to work more productively and profitably. We create personal, financial, and strategic value for the most exciting companies and well-known organisations on the planet, as well as individuals and the next generation of industry leaders. All of them harness the power of IWG’s platform to increase their productivity, efficiency, agility, and market proximity.
International Workplace Group’s unrivalled network coverage includes more than 4,000 locations across 120 countries and 83% of Fortune 500 companies are amongst our growing customer base.
Our brands including Regus, Spaces, HQ and Signature serve millions of people, providing professional, inspiring and collaborative workspaces and all our digital services are available via the IWG app.
For more information
Visit www.iwgplc.com and for more information on partnering with International Workplace Group, see: https://www.iwgplc.com/develop-a-location
