A work from anywhere scheme is an increasingly coveted benefit among employees. Many fully remote companies offer work from anywhere but more and more companies with a hybrid model are offering a fixed period of work from anywhere that workers can use over the course of the year.
Work from anywhere schemes allow workers to relocate within the UK or abroad for a set period of time. Workers are not required to attend the office on their regular days during this time.
So, if your company implements a work from anywhere scheme, how can you make the most of it?
Choose the right location
Maybe your work from anywhere dream is a remote farmhouse in rural Italy (if so see below point on WiFi!). But if you’re planning to immerse yourself in the local neighbourhood or tick off some attractions during your work from anywhere then you’ll want to choose your accommodation carefully. Looking for a coastal escape? It’s worth splashing out (no pun intended) on accommodation as close to the coast as you can get. That way you can easily enjoy a walk by the sea during your lunch hour or straight after work without having to spend time getting there first. Check out nearby pubs for a potential pint after work, or locate parks or walking trails nearby if the great outdoors is more your thing.
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Adjust your working hours
Discuss with your line manager whether it’s possible to adjust your working hours. If you are working from a different time zone then this might already be necessary. But even if you’re staying in the UK or not travelling too far, a slight change could give you more time to enjoy your temporary new home. This may include starting earlier in the morning and finishing earlier to enjoy a longer evening. Or perhaps you could split your hours between the early morning and later in the evening to carve out a few hours in the middle of the day to explore or do an activity.
Check the internet speed
The last thing you want is to arrive at your work from anywhere destination and find the internet is rubbish and you’re going to struggle to work effectively. This is a recipe for undue stress that could ruin your experience. Check with your accommodation, whether a hotel, apartment or Airbnb, that the WiFi is fast enough to support the tools you require, including video calls. Doing a search of reviews for complaints about the WiFi or phone signal is also a good idea.
Plan your workspace
You’ve spent months or even years perfecting your workspace at home to make it comfortable and efficient. So spend some time considering where you’ll work during your work from anywhere period. Use photographs of your accommodation, or contact your hotel or host, to find out more information. Is there a suitable table to work at? Is there a plug socket nearby or will you need to take an adaptor? If you usually work with multiple screens but don’t want to take a bulky monitor with you then consider purchasing a portable monitor or screen extender to make your life easier while away from home.
The Hattie 