The summer holidays have now got underway and reveals a growing trend as more and more Belgians go for the "workation" – that is, going on holiday but still working.
This new way of working can mean working from home, or a combination of leisure and remote work in hybrid locations. The latter is a popular option done either before or after the holidays.
Recent data from insurance company Europ Assistance show that one in five Belgians have chosen to work at their holiday destination this summer.
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The uptake can be explained by the rise of remote working following the coronavirus pandemic as well as increasing self-employment.
Employees now use hybrid working stations, in which a workplace can be a coworking space, a bedroom as well a guest house or even a youth hostel.
Administrative hurdles
Idyllic as working on a beach may sound, there are hurdles in the form of workplace accidents and tax returns, warns Frédéric Hespel of employment company Acerta.
In addition, working from a distance may not be suitable for everyone as it requires maintaining a certain discipline that comes naturally in a conventional place of work.
These obstacles don't appear to deter Belgians, because being allowed to work from home is key for employees. Companies could take it as a means to create greater flexibility for their employees.
"For employees, it can be an interesting format to work while extending the holiday feeling a bit longer", said Joël Poilvache, Director at consultancy Robert Half in La Libre.
