Digital platform helps employees go ‘workation’

A digital platform is now helping employees find resorts or other relaxing areas where they can both work and have a vacation.

According to Bernadette Reyes' report on "State of the Nation," Baybayin Hub was set up by Orly Darnayla, who was already working remotely before the pandemic, to offer what he calls "workations."

"Since wala naman talagang long-term co-living, co-working work spaces for digital workers, that's where Baybayin [comes] in. Mamimili sila from different resorts," he said, adding that the arrangement also helps resorts during the COVID-19 crisis.

JP Espino, an architect who is working remotely, said she has been doing workation for over a year. She said she works in her hotel room and later goes for a stroll at the beach.

Psychiatrist Joan Rifareal said that working from home can have a mental health impact on some employees, who may have a hard time setting boundaries between their work and their personal life.

In a survey conducted by international tech firm Buffer.com, 27% of work-from-home employees are not able to unplug from work. Meanwhile, 16% of work-from-home employees have difficulties in communication and 16% suffer from loneliness. — Consuelo Marquez/BM, GMA News