Remote working: How to work from anywhere in the world

THRIVE staff are encouraged to work from wherever they feel at their best and most productive. That may be in our Nottingham or Brighton office, at home or somewhere totally different. Removing the location barrier when recruiting staff allows THRIVE to recruit the best talent. We currently have staff based all over from Brighton to Boston.

I wondered, could I combine my love of travel with work?

Travelling has always been a passion of mine, I have entered numerous competitions and been lucky so far winning a week's holiday in Rome and return flights for two to Fuerteventura. I previously worked annual leave around weekends and Bank Holidays to squeeze in that extra day or two in the sun. I even got married abroad in Malta.

Two months after joining THRIVE I thought I would escape the cold temperatures and rainy days in the North East of England and head for a warmer climate to the island of Madeira!

These are my top tips if you are considering working overseas

Tip #1: Deciding where to go

Madeira has a mild year round climate so we knew we could get some winter sun in around a 4 hour flight from the UK. 

There is no time difference to consider for work calls and team cover.

At the time UK residents could enter the country with proof of double vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test. Check up to date guidance at https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

Tip #2: Plan when and how long to travel

My flights were on a Monday which is one of my scheduled days off work. This meant I didn’t have to worry about doing any work before or after travelling on that day or missing any meetings if we encountered a delay. 

We arrived at 10am so I had nearly a full day to enjoy the sun, some nice food and a couple of drinks before logging in the next morning. 

We were away for 3 weeks, www.gov.uk confirms you can work abroad but still be classed as a UK resident for tax purposes so long as you are in the UK more than 183 days a year. 

You should also check that your Home and Travel Insurance will cover the length of your stay.

Tip #3: Have the tools to do your job

I took my laptop, charger, keyboard, mouse and headset in my hand luggage. Ensuring nothing would go missing and I had the equipment I needed to do my job.

I stayed in a private apartment with lots of indoor and outdoor space. This was a must as I was travelling with my 2 year old son, my parents (aka the babysitters) and my husband also came out for 10 nights in the middle of the trip.

A good wifi connection is essential in my role, and I tested this as soon as I arrived.

How did it go?

Whilst away I delivered the same quality and volume of work. I continued to feel engaged and supported by my team through our daily calls. I attended my meetings as scheduled. Overall it really did feel like business as usual (just with a nicer view!).

I didn’t take any annual leave during the three weeks, but with me being a part time worker I used my 4 days off a week to make the most of the climate and spend time with my family. 

Could there be health benefits?

On a sunny day I feel my mood lift and seem to be more energetic. I definitely found this whilst I was away, and came across these interesting facts:

• Getting anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes of sunlight on your arms, hands, and face 2-3 times a week is enough to enjoy the vitamin D-boosting benefits of the sun. Make sure you are staying safe in the sun though!
• Sunlight cues special areas in the retina, which triggers the release of the hormone serotonin. Serotonin is associated with boosting mood and helping a person feel calm and focused.

Would I do it again?

Yes, in a heartbeat - being able to balance home life, work life and travel like this is an ideal situation for us. If you are looking to join a progressive team and work from anywhere 4 weeks a year, check out our job vacancies!