A hot travel trend – the ‘hush’ getaway: Expert tips ahead of holiday season
You’ve probably heard of “workcations,” which combine business travel with leisure travel in desirable locations. However, there is a new twist on this trend: the “hush trip,” in which employees do not inform their bosses that they are working from vacation locations. These secret getaways by remote workers while on the clock appear to be increasing in popularity and frequency, despite the fact that many employers frown on this activity.
Are you considering a hush trip, particularly during the upcoming holiday season? Continue reading to learn more about the benefits and risks of this practice, what employers think of hush trips, and how to fund your next vacation.
Understanding the phenomenon of hush trips
According to Vicki Salemi, a career expert with Monster, a hush trip is an excursion where an employee works remotely, usually in a vacation spot, without disclosing where they’re temporarily located to their boss or colleagues.
“Hush trips are growing more popular because more workers see opportunities to work remotely in places other than their homes,” she said. According to Salemi, a recent Monster poll found that roughly one-third of workers did not believe their managers needed to know that they were working from somewhere other than their home. A further one-fifth of respondents did not believe their managers would approve of a “workcation,” and 16% believed hush trips would be frowned upon by their managers and colleagues.
Joshua Bienstock, an associate professor in the School of Management at New York Institute of Technology and a practicing employment and labor lawyer, says he understands why hush trips have become more common.
“Employees are stressed out in a 24/7 world,” he says. “As more workplaces recognize the value of remote work, many employees will be able to work from anywhere.” ‘Why not combine my work and vacation by taking a hush trip?'”
The rise of hush trips does not surprise Peter Strebel, president of RateGain, a provider of SaaS solutions for the travel and hospitality industries and former chairman of Omni Hotels & Resorts.
“They frequently occur when employees do not have enough vacation time or are saving vacation days for a longer trip.” “Hush trips are popular among remote workers because they allow them to work during the day and enjoy amenities after work or on weekends,” says Strebel. According to Bankrate data, 64% of full-time workers support fully remote work schedules, indicating a clear demand for the type of flexibility that allows for secret getaways.
Benefits and drawbacks of a holiday hush trip
Are you considering a hush trip? It is critical to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of this decision.
“The pros of taking a hush trip during the upcoming holiday season are to combine the best of both worlds — being able to work from an enjoyable location and get paid for it,” Salemi writes in her article. “As soon as you log off, you can quickly toggle to vacation mode, which may make you happier and more productive.” Furthermore, she claims that more than half of those polled by Monster report feeling less anxious when taking hush trips because they get a change of scenery without using up paid time off.
Hush trips also allow you to travel at off-peak times, such as Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, when rates are often lower.
“This allows you to avoid the peak vacation travel time of weekends and the higher rate of business travel on Mondays and Fridays,” according to Stebel. “For example, a person planning a hush trip from Boston to New York City for the holidays could take an early flight on Tuesday morning, work from the hotel lobby until the room is ready and plan to take in Rockefeller Center after work.”
On the other hand, during a hush trip, it’s easy to become distracted. “The holiday season can feel more chaotic and stressful than other times of year.” “Being in a new place and attempting to concentrate on work with distractions at your fingertips may be difficult and may compound your stress,” warns Salemi.
Strebel agrees, adding that traveling during the holidays can be difficult. “A large number of travelers are on the move at this time of year, which increases the risks of flight delays or hotel overbookings,” he said. “A delayed flight, for example, could force a remote worker to take calls from the airport, which is not an ideal scenario.”
The most significant disadvantage of going on a hush trip is that your company might find out. This could get you into trouble with your boss, possibly jeopardizing your job.
What do businesses think about hush trips?
Acceptance of hush trips and employer policies differ from one another. However, most employers will want to know ahead of time if you intend to work somewhere other than your home.
“The issue boils down to whether you can do your job effectively in the presence of a slew of distractions.” “It is your responsibility to ensure that your work is done well and without disruption,” Strebel says. “I believe employers should be flexible when it comes to hush trips, as blanket policies condemning them can harm morale.” Similarly, an employee should exercise caution when going on a hush trip because it may cause conflict with coworkers.”
Most businesses, according to Andrew Lokenauth, a personal finance expert and owner of BeFluentInFinance.com, discourage hush trips. “Employers have concerns about productivity, security and liability,” he said. “But some will tolerate a hush trip if it’s done discreetly and the work is completed to satisfaction.”
Employers should encourage workcations by creating cultures in which employees are not required to keep secrets from them, including where they are working from.
“But other employers may have the mindset that everyone needs to be accountable and only work in the office or from a home office where they know your technology is reliable and where you can be easily reached,” Salemi said. “Even though you may be doing an amazing job and can work well or even better while sitting on the beach, there may be a stigma around it.”
“A hush trip can positively impact employees who plan on traveling for the holidays,” Salemi goes on to say. “For example, perhaps the trip includes staying with relatives who bring you great joy. You don’t have to choose between working from home and visiting relatives; you can do both.”
Funding a holiday hush trip
If you plan to travel this holiday season and keep it a secret, think carefully about how you’ll pay for it. While cash is always useful, using credit cards can make it safe, convenient, and simple to pay for a flight, hotel stay, food, and other purchases.
Consider that the majority of credit cards provide zero-liability fraud protection for unauthorized charges, as long as you report them within 30 days. Even if your card company does not provide zero liability, the Fair Credit Billing Act limits your liability for unauthorized charges to $50.
Furthermore, if unauthorized charges are made on your credit card, you can usually resolve the issue before your payment is due, avoiding any actual loss of funds. That is one reason why credit cards are preferred over debit cards when traveling: If the latter is stolen or compromised, resolving the issue may take longer because you will have to wait for the funds to be restored to your bank account.
Having the right credit card in your wallet during a holiday hush trip allows you to earn cash back, points, or miles on everyday purchases. When you open a new rewards credit card, you may be eligible for a welcome bonus after meeting certain spending requirements.
To maximize credit card rewards, choose a card that corresponds to your spending habits. For example, frequent travelers may prefer a travel credit card that earns points or miles for future travel and provides benefits such as lounge access and credits for traveler programs such as TSA PreCheck. Others may find a cash back card with bonus rewards on everyday spending categories such as groceries and gas stations to be more valuable.
Additional credit card benefits, such as travel protections, no foreign transaction fees, annual statement credits for specific purchases, and discounts with partner brands, can significantly improve your experience.
Just remember to be cautious when using credit cards on a covert trip. If you use a credit card provided by your employer, they may be able to track where your purchases were made. This could land you in hot water if your employer doesn’t know where you’re working from.
In conclusion
Consider taking a secret trip between now and New Year’s, rather than telling your boss you’re going on a “workcation.” The latter may be less risky and stressful, but it will still allow you to spend some much-needed leisure time in a desirable location.
“Do your research ahead of time to alleviate concerns and anxiety,” advises Salemi. “To ensure that you don’t miss a beat, your destination should have a dedicated workspace and fast Internet speed.” Take into account time zone differences as well. If you’re going overseas and it’s six hours earlier, make sure you’re working the same six hours you would if you stayed at home.”
Lokenauth concurs. “Be discreet when taking a hush trip, and don’t publicize your actions on social media,” he says. “To avoid suspicions, try to coordinate your schedule with your coworkers.” And, to avoid being caught, limit long or frequent hush trips.”
