Nowadays the office is no longer a destination, with many people working from home. A geographically dispersed workforce has given companies and employees greater flexibility and freedom.
Whilst this offers many benefits, including saving on travel costs, it can also lead to issues such as depression, loneliness and not feeling included in a workplace culture where employees feel disconnected from their fellow team members. This can be particularly difficult for younger people starting out on careers where office connectivity is crucial and research has shown that many younger employees feel less productive than their older colleagues while working from home.
However, there are benefits to be gained from working remotely and there are more people who now have the possibility to virtually work from anywhere in the world. This enables them to explore new countries, to meet new people and get inspired whilst fulfilling their work obligations.
‘Work from roam’ is not a trend but it is fast becoming the new normal and has become a relatively easy thing to do. Why not set your laptop up in an idyllic setting, maybe in a room with a balcony overlooking the ocean? No longer will you be restricted by rigid office hours and stressful commutes.
There are approximately 35 countries that now offer specialised visas to let foreigners live and work remotely within their borders, including Portugal and Spain. As a digital nomad you can choose to live in a foreign country based on the cost of living, internet speed and lifestyle as well as finding a community where you can make friends easily.
There are some things to consider before you head off to ‘work from roam’ though. The first thing is to talk to your employer and find out whether this kind of arrangement is going to work for them and you. Another big factor to take into account are time zones – are you willing to be available for team meetings during the night if you are on the opposite side of the world?
As the workplace culture evolves, and remote and hybrid work environments are becoming the norm, ‘work from roam’ is something to consider that could have a beneficial impact on your health and wellbeing.
