Hush Travel: Pros, Cons & Who’s Joining The Getaway Trend
The latest trend in travel is “Hush Travel.” It’s when someone takes a trip without taking PTO and without notifying their manager, all while continuing to work from a different location. While this trend might seem appealing, it’s important to be aware of some potential risks.
The pandemic has shown us that being in the office isn’t necessary to get work done. According to Forbes Advisor’s Remote Work Statistics and Trends in 2024, one in five employees now work remotely, and about 16% of businesses operate without physical office spaces. By next year, 32.6 million Americans are expected to be remote workers. This shift in work culture has also changed the way we travel, giving rise to hush travel.
Attitudes toward taking time off have always varied between generations. While older generations often accept the idea of working hard for limited vacation time, younger generations are more inclined to embrace the mindset that “I was not born to work, pay bills, and die.”
Pros of Hush Travel
Taking a break from the usual grind lets us recharge and return ready to tackle projects with fresh energy. For remote workers, the freedom to log in from anywhere is a game-changer. But before you set off, make sure your destination has a reliable internet connection. It’s all fun and games until you realize your under-the-radar trip might be more challenging without a stable connection.
Many embrace hush travel because it’s a fantastic way to shake up the daily routine, all while saving those precious PTO days or avoiding the need to burn sick leave.
The Catch
Before you book that ticket, ask yourself: What if your boss suddenly needs you on a call? Or worse, what if the internet goes down? Can your work phone go international? If not, how will your team reach you? Thinking through these scenarios can help you keep your hush travel plans on the down low.
Even though you might be lounging on the beach or exploring a new city, you’re technically still on the clock. You’ll need to stay plugged into work, even if no one needs you right then and there. To avoid getting “caught slipping,” you’ll need to stay connected to work by checking emails, Teams, or whatever platform your job uses. Maybe even more than usual. And let’s not forget about potential time zone differences and jet lag, which can be tricky.
It’s also important to review your employment contract, particularly if you work in fields like healthcare, tech, or finance, where sensitive information is involved. Some contracts may restrict you from working outside your home state or country. Connecting to public Wi-Fi can expose you and your company to risks like data breaches, which could cost you your job. Even with the use of VPNs or personal hotspots, it’s important to consider the potential HR implications before going stealth with your travel plans.
Are People Really Hush Traveling?
In a survey, they found that nearly a third of people admitted they’ve worked remotely on vacation without telling their bosses. About 52% of them would use their vacation travels as a chance to work remotely and 29% have done so without notifying anyone at work.
Looking further into it, close to four in 10 (39%) explained it was simply because they like what they do for work. Meanwhile, others would work on vacation to hit an important work deadline that overlapped with their vacation time (28%) or to save on their PTO (26%).
For many others, traveling for work opens the door to other opportunities. Nearly half (48%) have extended their work trips into vacations at their destination.
