How To Escape The Workplace And Say Goodbye To The Office

How often have you heard stories of people quitting their jobs to travel the world? Sure, it sounds exciting but I know that this isn’t exactly realistic for a lot of people. Plus, you don’t actually have to quit your job and risk it all in order to be able to travel. Finding the time to travel can feel like a challenge when you have a ‘regular’ 9-5 job to contend with. But it’s definitely doable when you get a bit strategic and here’s how. 

1. Plan ahead

Be sure to get your days off booked in early and give your boss plenty of notice. This way, they are more likely to be accepted, and you’ll pip your colleagues to the post if any of them are eyeing up your desired dates. Make sure you put the days you’re planning to take off in your calendar at work, so no one can dispute them. 

It also gives you plenty of time to handle any issues that might arise in your absence. Start this process early so you can be confident you won’t be leaving anyone in the lurch - this way, your boss won’t have any reason to deny your holiday request. 

Being organized will also help to ease you into returning to work once the holiday is over, so you won’t dread going back to the office quite so much.

2. Plan vacations around public holidays

It may seem obvious, but try strategically planning the days you take off around public holidays when you won’t be at work anyway. This way, you can get more consecutive days off work and only use a few of your allocated vacation days! 

For example, if Friday and Monday are bank holidays, you already have 4 consecutive days off work, so you only need to take an extra 3 days off to get a whole week. If bank holidays fall midweek, take a few days off before or after the holiday to get a full 5 days. 

This will allow you to travel further afield and enjoy more time in your chosen destination.

3. Use two weekends

Similarly, if you decide to take a full 5 consecutive days off work (Mon-Fri), be sure to use both weekends to take a longer trip. In theory you could leave on a Friday night and return on a Sunday, allowing you a whole 9 days of vacation bliss.

4. Turn a business trip into a personal getaway

If you already travel for work, a business trip can be a great way to wangle in some vacation time. Add an extra day in at the beginning or end of your trip, or see if you can extend the trip into the weekend to explore the sights. 

Your workplace is already paying for you to get there and back, so usually, they won’t mind when you travel, as long as you get your work done of course! If you don’t have the opportunity to travel with your work, the likelihood is that you know someone who does. 

Why not ask to tag along and keep them company? You can crash their hotel for free and make a fun trip of it. 

5. Work overtime

Many large businesses now employ a ‘flexitime’ program, in which employees can go to work a few hours early or stay a little later to accumulate overtime hours which can then be taken as days off when you’ve racked up enough. 

Most workplaces have electronic clocking in and out systems that automatically record this but if your office isn’t quite that modern yet - make sure you record these properly and get them signed off by your boss to avoid working overtime for nothing! 

This is a really great way to fit in some extra travel time. If this kind of system hasn’t been implemented in your workplace yet, why not suggest it at your next meeting?

6. Work remotely

If you work in an office, you most likely work from a computer all day. And if this coronavirus situation has shown us anything, it’s that most people can actually work from home. Try asking your boss if you can work from home 2 or 3 days a week. 

As long as it looks like you’re staying active and responsive, this will give you the opportunity to get your work done quicker and have more free time to plan travels or even take your laptop away with you and work from a brand new destination! The dream.

7. Take a cheeky ‘sick’ day

Now, if you’ve got a particularly stubborn boss who is unwilling grant you overtime or ‘work from home’ days, you can always resort to taking a cheeky ‘sick’ day. Let’s be honest, we’ve all done it at some point in our lives and we’ll probably do it again. 

Most workplaces allocate a certain number of ‘sick’ days per year so if you’re feeling fit as a fiddle, you might as well make the most of them and treat yourself to a bit of extra vacation. Obviously, don’t make too much of a habit of it or boast about your travels when you get back to the office - they’ll be onto you in a flash!

8. Choose flight times wisely

Overnight flights (lovingly known as red-eye flights to regular travelers) aren’t the most fun thing in the world. But, if you can learn to love them, they can earn you an extra day or two in your holiday destination, which can make a lot of difference! If you can, book an overnight flight leaving straight after your last day in the office. 

This way, you’ll arrive in the morning on the first full day of your holiday, meaning you’re not wasting any time. Yes, you’ll be pretty tired, but the excitement of being on holiday will usually take that away. Plus, you’re on vacation - you can rest and relax as much as you wish!

9. Negotiate

In my experience, most people appreciate a bit of upfront honesty. If you really want to spend more time out of the office, doing the things you enjoy, why not simply speak to your boss about it? 

See if you can negotiate and come to a compromise. Some workplaces will offer a certain amount of unpaid leave per year and some even have sabbatical programs which allow you to take months or even a year off work in order to travel, with the promise of your job back once you return. 

If you’re doing well at work and have been offered a pay rise, ask for some extra days off instead. Or you could even ask to take a pay cut in lieu of more vacation days. There’s no harm in asking and as long as you’re being reasonable, your boss should be willing to take the time to hear you out.

10. Make the most of every minute

Time is precious when you are traveling, especially when vacation days are scarce. In order to make the most of the time that you have, put the effort in to plan your time effectively. Some things to think about are:

• Choosing the shortest and most direct flights to save time in transit
• Doing your research ahead of time, so you don’t waste time thinking about what you should do while you’re there 
• Book centrally-located accommodations which allow you to get around quickly and easily 
• Prioritize attractions that are most important to you 

11. Save your money for your travels

When you’re in the middle of a full-on working week, it can be easy to justify an expensive takeaway or some internet shopping to take the edge off - because you deserve it, right? 

I’m sure you do deserve a few treats, but try to make sure you don’t spend all your money before you’ve had a chance to book your dream holiday. Your future self will thank you for it, trust me. 

An easy way to ensure you’re accumulating some savings is to put a percentage of your paycheck straight into a savings account that you don’t touch as soon as you get it. It will add up surprisingly quickly and give you a goal to work towards.

12. Unplug and disconnect

Most importantly, when you are on that vacation you’ve been looking forward to for so long, ensure you properly disconnect from your work. 

If you’re still replying to emails and answering phone calls, it will feel like you are still in the office. Completely unplug and be present to get the most out of your holiday. You’ll enjoy your time off so much more and be more refreshed when you do go back to work. 

Plus, your vacation companion will appreciate it, I’m sure!