Hush Trips: The Other Side Employees “Get Away With It All” While Being Clocked In

By Moon Harper

Mar 07, 2024 06:06 AM EST

As workers return to the office, some maximize their remote work setups by taking secret or "hush trips."

What is a Hush Trip?

We all cherish the idea of a getaway to relax and recharge, but finding the time for it can be challenging. Some workers have limited vacation days, desire more travel, or wish to avoid returning to a backlog of work. That is where workcations and hush trips come in.

With a workcation or hush trip, there is no need for an "out of office" message. Both concepts involve remote work, not from the usual home office or local café, but from a vacation spot. This trend is gaining popularity among remote workers, offering a chance to improve work-life balance and explore the world while still earning a paycheck.

Why Are Workers Sneaking Trips?

In the last year, almost one out of ten workers went on a secret vacation, as revealed by a survey of 1,010 full-time employees conducted by the vehicle rental website Price 4 Limo. Of those surveyed, 27% admitted to doing this to avoid using their paid vacation days during their absence. Many workers also stay silent about these trips to avoid productivity worries and tax inquiries from their employers.

"Getting away from it all" has a new twist nowadays. 45% of those surveyed said they have recently taken a "workcation," meaning they traveled to a sunny destination but spent time on the beach working on spreadsheets instead of building sandcastles.

The three main reasons given by respondents for taking a workcation were:

Visiting family or friends
Seeking a change of scenery
Desiring a vacation during off-hours while staying productive at work

How Workers Are Hiding It From Their Bosses?

A Singaporean named Alicia has admitted to multiple trips without informing her employer. She mentioned that it is easy for her as she does not have to go to the office physically, and her manager is not in the same region. Alicia works for a tech company in Singapore, offering a 30-day remote working policy. However, she has not applied for it because she prefers to avoid the hassle of the application process and waiting for approvals, which can take weeks. Alicia shared her experience with CNBC Travel during a one-month trip to Thailand, which she described as her most extended covert trip yet. She also mentioned that she extended her time away for other trips without informing her employer to avoid using up her PTO days too quickly.

Alicia has been able to keep her trips within Asia, allowing her to remain in similar time zones and attend meetings easily. To conceal her location, she uses blurred or virtual backgrounds during video calls and avoids engaging in small talk to avoid suspicion.

Before traveling, Alicia gradually reduced her office visits and participation in after-work activities, making it easier to take short trips unnoticed. However, not everyone has had the same success.

Some individuals Alicia knows have had their plans disrupted when their managers unexpectedly called for in-person meetings with clients, necessitating them to book a flight ticket back ASAP.

Despite the risks, Alicia is not overly concerned about being caught by her employer, as she recently resigned from her position and is currently serving her notice period so that any potential discovery would not affect her. According to Alicia, neither her travels nor her resignation have impacted her work performance as she continues to fulfill her job responsibilities.

How Can Hush Trips Be Problematic?

According to experts consulted by Price4Limo.com, secret trips pose various issues, mainly the risk of losing trust or facing termination if discovered by superiors.

While hush trips may suit some employees, Amy Zimmerman, Chief People Officer at Relay Payments, emphasized the importance of transparency regarding employees' whereabouts.

Zimmerman advised employees who take workcations to adhere to sensible guidelines while away. For instance, attending Zoom meetings from the poolside while wearing a swimsuit, or if workers miss important meetings or leave others to handle their workload, where it is better to take PTO rather than trying to work during travel.