Work from home can now mean work from vacation!

It is no secret that the work culture has seen a change ever since the COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on the world. As offices, schools and colleges closed down to curb the spread, employees took to the work from home culture. Students took to the internet, which was erstwhile their safe haven, to study and hone their skills. However, working from home or studying from home might not be as exciting as one might think. It can get monotonous, and one cannot step out for a breather. You cannot sneak a cup or team with friends between lectures. Although you are in the comfort of your homes, the much needed social fabric that you thrive in has been snatched.

With this new working norm, the hospitality sector has come up with the innovative idea of ‘workation’ packages. The chains plan to provide uninterrupted WiFi, work stations, and meals. This news began from Coorg-based resort, Pollibetta. They have started the workation package in order to help people catch a break after they are fatigued from working within the four walls of their homes.

Zostel, a famous backpacker hostel chain has also said that it is working on a similar setup. Its campaign, ‘work from hostel’, is coming after many customers enquired whether Zostel would be following the trend. Professionals, as well as students who are just entering the working world, are looking for a change of scenario from their noisy Mumbai and Pune residences to quieter places like the hills, Rajasthan and Kerela.

According to an official at Zostel, dedicated internet infrastructure is in the works for their hostels. The customers will have an option to book long-term stays and the booking will be flexible across locations such as the Himalayan circuit.

Hotels across the country are also looking at optimizing spaces for use as meeting rooms and conference rooms etc. Chains such as Accor are trying to cater to the needs of the working class for a traditional office set up. Work from home has never been as in-demand as it is today. It is not only popular at the moment, but downright necessary. The idea of a 'workation' might prove to be just what is needed for the people exhausted by the monotony of working from their homes.

A wise human once said, too much of a good thing is a bad thing. There was a time when we wished we didn't have to get dressed in crisp formals and step out to classes, presentations, meeting or work. And now all we wish for is a chance to get back to the hustle and bustle of our peers. Having something taken away from you as compared to giving it up willingly has a very marked impact on the human psyche. The concept of workation is being designed to cater to that and also to revive the struggling travel and tourism industry.

With every adaptation that each industry is implementing to survive the current situation should come as learning to every student out there. Here are a few takeaway points for you:

• If giants who are set in their ways can adapt, so can you.

• Even when the world seems like its ending (a pandemic which shows no signs of retreat), the world is not ending.

• Do what you have to do to survive!

• Once you have the survival part sorted, do what you have to do to thrive.

Here are some pieces that talk about other trends developing in the times of COVID:

• Virtual reality in sports might be the next big thing! Are you game?

• To webinar or not to webinar during lockdown!

• Why I fed my laptop cake during my internship at The Walt Disney Company? -By Richang Goyal from IIM Calcutta

• Post-COVID world: Change led by trends and intelligent deduction