Morning Brew - 🌴 Your next workcation

Time-saving tools and products we’re really into rn.

• A little-known home decor secret: CA-based online store Goodies offers well-crafted home goods like vases, plates, and coasters at a ridiculously accessible price point of $25 or less.
• We all have a household habit or two we’re not so proud of. This New Yorker article breaks down what your dirty secrets say about your personality type.
• Take your Notion and Google calendar skills from 0 to 100, with setup inspo from productivity wiz Jules Acree.

What’s top of mind at the watercooler.

During the pandemic, while some employees relocated, others chose to fulfill their travel dreams by working remotely across the country—and the world. This concept, also known as a workcation, has become an attractive option for employees looking for more remote work flexibility. Especially as it becomes very clear that remote work offers a unique opportunity to maximize travel opportunities while still being on the clock. Sidekick spoke with two HR experts—Catherine Hughes, director of talent at Shopify, and chief people officer at Model N Laura Selig—to learn more about the steps employees should take before catching flights instead of feelings.

In August 2020, Shopify created its Destination90 program, which allows all full-time employees to work remotely from almost anywhere in the world for up to 90 days every year. While revolutionary, the program has a clear end goal in mind: employee satisfaction. Hughes, who is currently taking advantage of Destination90 while working from London, explained that with the freedom and flexibility to explore new locations and cultures, employees will be more energized and engaged while working. Currently, the program requires participants to get manager approval before jetting off, “to ensure the location they’re selecting is safe and not subject to any travel advisories, and to ensure they can continue to contribute to their teams and support our wider mission,” Hughes told Sidekick. To date, employees have worked from Brazil, Finland, France, Germany, Mexico City, Spain, Turkey, Uruguay, and more.

While we can’t all be lucky enough to have an employer that pushes us to work remotely, there are some steps any employee hoping to go on a workcation of their own should take. Selig shared these top tips with Sidekick:

• Start having workcation conversations as early as possible, and be mindful of the potential challenges. “Obviously, working remotely will have some personal benefits for the employee, but he/she should also consider any potential downside impact to the manager, team, etc., and be proactive about offering solutions.”
• Be open to compromise. “It may require several conversations between the employee, his/her manager, and HR to fully explore a remote working request, and being patient and understanding that it’s important that everyone feels comfortable with the future plan is critical,” Selig explained.
• Prepare to communicate…a lot. Even while working from a new location, it’s imperative that your manager and company still feel as though you’re an active member of your team.
• And a bonus tip from Sidekick: As state and federal laws have strict guidelines as to where companies can and can’t operate, it’s very important to let your employer know that you’ll be working remotely. Likewise, check on the implications for your income tax.

Even if your company doesn’t actively promote the opportunity to work from different locations, it can’t hurt to open up a dialogue with your manager and HR team. Have you ever taken a workcation or thought about taking one? Hit Reply and share in the inbox!

Your punch list for when you punch out.

Read: Looking for a reading list refresh? Start with these Shondaland-approved books by popular authors like Brit Bennett, bell hooks, Jesmyn Ward, and more.

Watch: Prep for the Oscars appropriately with a useful streaming guide that shares where you can find most of the nominated films.

Drink: Love espresso martinis so much you want to drink one at lunch? Try whipping up this non-alcoholic version.

Burning questions of our time.

When the pandemic eradicated the stuffy speed connection-making events of the past, it became even more difficult to truly connect with coworkers and industry colleagues. While career experts would like us to believe that we have to cold-email and LinkedIn-scroll our lives away to successfully build connections, enough of us have built extensive networks through nontraditional routes like social media and community events to know better.

So readers, is there a right way to network? What approach do you take to networking? Share your strategies by hitting Reply to this email!

Your thoughts on employee pet names nicknames:

Rebecca: As to work nicknames, I really think they have to develop organically and internally from the group itself. There is generally some meaning and it can build community. Having an assigned nickname has less chance of helping to build community, and can be a turnoff.

Michael: Nicknames for employees can be endearing if it is a positive term and one not formulated by management. As a former IBMer, this was a term we called ourselves and created an instant bond. While I don’t know the origin of this term, I doubt any of IBM’s CEOs declared us to be called that.

Michele: Metamates???? Are we in kindergarten? I'm somewhat surprised the entire team didn't quit. I find it demeaning.