The remote work boom has been hard to miss. Fairly discreet before the global health crisis, it has now become an essential part of work organization. This setup has inspired workers tempted by expat life and workation dreams. However, there's a tendency to confuse remote work and extended vacation. How do you manage your relationship with your manager? Here's how to find the right balance between expat life and remote work.
Make sure you have your employer's consent for remote working
You might think what matters is getting the work done. You've certainly heard stories of adventurous workers who tested digital nomadism or workation behind their employer's back. They returned with their full salary and no disciplinary action, as their employer never knew they were working from Bali's beaches. While they proudly recounted their adventures, these workers were, above all, lucky not to get caught. Far from being exemplary, this behavior is risky for both the worker and the company.
Before finalizing your project, make sure you have your employer's consent. Depending on the country, labor laws may or may not allow remote work. But working from home, a local café, or another continent doesn't involve the same responsibilities. Your employer might blame you for using an unsecured connection to send your work, poorly performing your tasks, or exposing the company to risks. Employers also face significant risks, especially in terms of taxes and legislation. An employee caught working with a tourist visa/status faces penalties, exposing their company as well.
Build your remote work project with your manager
Where are you moving, and for how long will you be staying there? Will you need a visa? Will there be a time difference? What will be your workplace (home, café, coworking space, or some other exciting place)? How will you manage your work? Will the internet connection be secure? Can you participate in meetings and corporate life?
These are just a few of the essential questions you need to address with your manager when making your plans. Living abroad and remote working require greater autonomy. However, corporate cultures naturally differ from one country to another. For instance, in Sweden, no manager would bother remote workers as the work mode is well integrated into the culture. In contrast, French management tends to fear the disengagement of remote workers. It's hard for them to trust an employee who works three days a week from home, even less so one who moves abroad to work remotely.
Think about work above travel
The obvious isn't always obvious to everyone. Reading about “shadow expatriates” who work abroad without notifying their managers, it seems the essence lies less in the experience of remote work than in organizing parties and other revelries. Basically, vacations on the sly.
For a truly serene experience (shadow expatriates who got caught have bitter memories), ensure your future neighborhood is conducive to work. All conditions must be met for you to work remotely efficiently. You need the Internet for your job, but suppose you find your “home sweet home” in a region with no connection. You will definitely have to find another place.
The same applies if you want to move to the other side of the world while your job requires regular meetings with your company. Are you sure you can wake up in the middle of the night every week to attend your daily meeting with your colleagues? Note that it's about "participating,” not just being present with your camera and microphone off.
Set up an adequate workspace
Your manager might ask to see your workspace. This is less about keeping an eye on you and more about ensuring you are in the best conditions to work remotely in a foreign country (although, in some cases, it indeed involves monitoring). Again, reassure your manager and play along. Do you prefer a more exciting place than your home? Do not lie by claiming to work in a sober coworking space. Whether your workspace is original or not, it should enable you to work. Make sure to consider not only the tasks to perform but everything related to your profession: participating in meetings, making calls, etc.
Think about real expat remote workers
You might have been laughing at stories of expatriate remote workers spending their time between the dance floor, bed, and bar? Your manager also reads these stories, but on a more serious note. These stories (coupled with those of supposed remote workers who don't expatriate but laze at home instead of working) are what deter companies. They fear you might spend your time lounging and rushing through work between two naps.
The benefits of balancing expat life and remote work
Want to embark on the adventure but facing resistance from your employer? Try linking your project to the company's goals: does it engage with foreign countries? Are missions abroad frequent? If so, talk about ecology and savings: why multiply costly plane trips when one could have a person based in the foreign country for a long period of time? Your presence there could open new markets for your company while saving money.
Another persuasive argument could be the "productivity and well-being gains" alliance. Although employee well-being is making significant progress in the corporate world, it sometimes struggles to be fully appreciated. Yet, preserving mental health is essential for both employees and the company. Happier in their minds, workers are more productive and committed. Remotely working from a foreign country can be a good way to reengage employees.
