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8 in 10 Remote Workers Would Work During Vacation If It Meant They Could Extend Their Trip

A similar percentage report being more interested in “workcations” now than they were two years ago.
Julie Keller Callaghan

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Forget working from home—eight in 10 remote workers reported that they are ready to do their jobs from vacation.

According to a recent survey of 2,000 remote and remote-flexible workers, 80 percent would consider working remotely from a vacation destination to extend the length of their trip. That held especially true for respondents ages 26 to 41 (83 percent), who made up 70 percent of the polling panel.

Overall, half of those surveyed said they’re just as likely to work on vacation (48 percent) as they are to work from their local coffee shop (47 percent).

When asked to choose between a longer trip that involved some remote work and a shorter trip that required no work, twice as many respondents opted for the former (46 percent vs. 26 percent).

Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Marriott Vacations Worldwide, the survey also reported the average remote worker takes four overnight trips a year, and 83 percent have taken at least one such trip in 2022.

At the same time, the average remote worker only uses nine vacation days during that same time, with one in five (22 percent) taking five days or fewer and nine in 10 (90 percent) taking fewer than three weeks.

This aligns with similar findings from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, which found that most private industry workers (65 percent) only receive between five and 14 paid days off after one year of service. 

Of those surveyed by OnePoll, only 40 percent claimed that their employer offers unlimited vacation time, and 39 percent are not compensated for the paid time off they don’t use.

With that in mind, it’s not surprising that 79 percent of respondents report being more interested in “workcations” now than they were two years ago and are planning to take anywhere from one to five vacations in 2023.

“The rise of remote work has changed how people think about vacation time and leisure travel,” says Lori Gustafson, EVP, chief brand and digital officer at Marriott Vacations Worldwide. “The flexibility of no longer being confined to an office has opened up a new opportunity for Americans to give in to their wanderlust and take a workcation.”

Seven in 10 workers (73 percent) take more vacation days a year now than they did before working remotely. And more than two in three (69 percent) believe the flexibility of remote work has improved their overall wellbeing and happiness.

Remote workers are already accustomed to getting their work done away from the office, too –96 percent said they frequently do remote work from somewhere other than their home, including 65 percent who do so frequently.

Not surprisingly, survey-takers cited hotel rooms (25 percent) and vacation rentals (23 percent) as the top places they get work done while on vacation – although one in six would even be down to feel productive while sitting poolside (18 percent).

Location aside, space (36 percent), quiet (38 percent), and internet access (42 percent) are the top three amenities workers look for when selecting accommodations for a hybrid work-vacation.

“Travel is not solely about the location, but about experiences,” says Gustafson. “Those who work remotely from their destination not only have the space to separate the workday from the vacation but can also enjoy a range of experiences and adventures when the workday comes to an end. When you can work from anywhere, any weekend can be a long weekend to enjoy a vacation, visit friends and family you haven’t seen in a while, and just make up for lost time.”

About The Author
julieKeller_author-1

Julie is the co-founder of Well Defined and a longtime influencer and advocate in the wellness world. Along with her work at Well Defined, she is an executive recruiter and marketing specialist for Hutchinson Consulting. She is also a consultant and content strategist for numerous wellness brands. She is the former editor-in-chief and publisher of American Spa and was named a 2019 Folio Top Woman in Media in the Industry Trailblazers category and a 2018 winner of ISPA’s Innovate Award. She is also a seasoned journalist, specializing in spa, travel, health, fitness, wellness, sustainability, and beauty. She has been published in Departures, ForbesTraveler.com, E! Online, Gayot.com, Insider’s Guide to Spas, Luxury Travel Advisor, Marin Magazine, Ocean Home, Smart Meetings, Spa Asia, and Travel Agent.