For the most part, ‘working for the man’ sucks, apart from the regular paycheck of course! I meet and speak to so many people who want to eventually be living the location independent life and be able to travel how they want, when they want, but for the time being they are stuck working 9-5 jobs instead of jetting from country to country as they desire.
The good news is, in my last couple of years working remotely I have learnt a thing or two about maximizing your allocated leave from work, and also bending the rules a little to allow you to fit more trips in for less annual leave used. Here are some of the ways you can travel the world while still working full-time.
Know Your Public Holidays
If used properly, public holidays can add around 30% more time to your holidays! This year I used the holidays from the Royal Wedding to spend 2 weeks in India, and I only had to take 7 days off from work instead of 10 that I would have had to any other time. Get to know the holidays in your country and pencil them into your calendar, that way when you’re planning your next trip you can see which will be the best time to go, using the least amount of your precious leave as possible.
Don’t Be Afraid Of Sick Leave
I’ve used sick leave for a short holiday before, and loved every minute of it. I know it’s not the most ethical thing to be doing, but sometimes you just have to bend the rules a little to get what you want. My employer is thankful for me taking only 2 sick days a year so what should it matter what I use them for?! I would however only recommend this to people who can do this without giving themselves hives the entire trip and worrying so much they end up telling their boss when they get back! It makes it a helluva lot easier if (like me) you don’t really like your job very much!
Negotiate Short Term Remote Working
If you’re not already working from home, then why not try to negotiate a period of time where you work from one of your company’s other offices around the world, or even work from a hotel or rented apartment. This works well if you have a partner who you can attribute the need to, eg ‘My boyfriend is being transferred to Paris to work for a couple of weeks, I’d like to be able to work during this time but also go with him’. If you don’t ask you don’t get!
Take A Sabbatical
Sabbaticals are the ‘in’ thing these days, with some employers even encouraging their staff to get out and see the world so not to lose them to burn outs and lucrative deals at their competitors. I have lots of friends who have done this, and I’m even planning one myself, so it’s definitely worth asking about! Usually you can take between 2-6 months off unpaid and return as normal to your role after this time – its win win!
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Awesome post Nicole, I definitely agree with you on all points here. It’s difficult to work in decent trips when you’re working 9-5 so it’s important to know where you can take a little bit here and there to make them a bit beefier.
All very good tips, and all easy ways to fit travel into a “normal” lifestyle. I’m a huge proponent of this, because I’ve never been a full-time traveler, and I’m not sure I ever will be! I always seem to be either working full-time or going to school full-time, so finding ways to manage to travel on top of everything else can be tough. But I think it’s all about priorities. If you want it badly enough, you’ll find a way to do it.
In Australia (don’t know about elsewhere?) there are some employers who are happy for you to negotiate longer leave every year for proportionally less pay. A common one is “48/52” which means you only get paid for 48 weeks (but spread over 52) and that gives you 8 weeks total leave (your regular paid four weeks plus the unpaid four weeks). (Some employers also do a “4/5” programme where you get paid four fifths of your regular salary but can have a WHOLE YEAR off every five years and still get paid).
Cheers Justin – exactly, it becomes a 9-5 job in itself sometimes trying to get more travel bang for your buck with bank holidays and annual leave!
Hi Amanda, wow, that’s fantastic – Ive never heard of this before, what a fab idea! Thanks so much! : )
Thanks Amanda – I hear you, theres a lot of people that eventually want to be location independent, but theres also a lot who dont but still love to travel. You just have to be creative, and as you say make it a priority.