UAE: Working on vacation? 'Paycation' common among some younger employees

Doctors emphasised that taking proper breaks from work is essential for sound mental health

Nandini Sircar

Published: Thu 26 Dec 2024, 6:00 AM

Last updated: Thu 26 Dec 2024, 8:07 PM

'Paycation' is becoming a growing trend among UAE residents, with more people opting to work even while on vacation.

This new buzzword in the travel industry refers to the practice of working during a holiday, which has been gaining popularity among employees, especially millennials and the Gen Z.

Unlike 'bleisure', which combines business travel with leisure, a 'paycation' involves working while on vacation, meaning no actual 'time-off'.

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Feeling the need to prove oneself

“I agree that working during vacations has become increasingly common, especially among millennials in the UAE. A lot of it comes down to the pressure of staying connected in such a fast-paced and competitive environment. Employees tend to feel the need to prove themselves, stay reliable, or avoid falling behind and so sometimes continue to work during their annual leave," said Aws Ismail, general manager at Marc Ellis, Dubai.

Aws Ismail

“As an employer, I don’t believe it has to be this way. For employees, it’s all about proper planning, wrapping up your tasks, hitting your deadlines, and doing a proper handover. When that’s done right, you can disconnect without stressing about things falling apart,” he added.

For employers, the focus should be on creating a culture that encourages people to actually take a break, Ismail said.

“Realistic workload planning and supporting time-off go a long way in reducing burnout. When everyone knows their role and the importance of completing their jobs, the whole team benefits,” added Ismail.

“My employees don’t really work during their vacation but they might just have an eye on their phone in case of any emergency. We do full handover. It’s only every now and then that they may get a message so they usually forward it to the team to sort it out,” Nicki Wilson, Founder and MD of Genie Recruitment said.

She said the company incentivises its employees if they work from another location even during their regular working days.

Nicki Wilson

“We implemented an initiative two years ago, where every employee receives Dh1,000 to work from anywhere in the world for one week. ‘Why did we introduce this?’ That’s because I believe flexibility fuels creativity, and creativity leads to growth. It’s not just about productivity, it’s about freedom and trust.

"When employees have the opportunity to work from a location of their choice, it enriches their lives with new experiences, perspectives, and joy. Some of our team members choose destinations within the UAE for a change of scenery. Others take the opportunity to visit their home countries and work from there, reconnecting with family while staying productive. Some of the team will go to the UK and get up at 5am to start work so they have the whole afternoon free; it does work quite well.”

She highlighted that offering such benefits creates a culture of trust and loyalty while promoting better work-life balance.

Why are proper holidays important?

Meanwhile, doctors in the UAE emphasised that taking proper breaks from work is essential for sound mental health.

“As a doctor, I would strongly advise people to take proper breaks from work. Continuous work without sufficient downtime can lead to burnout, increased stress levels, and a decline in overall well-being. It’s essential for mental and physical health to step away from work responsibilities periodically to recharge and rejuvenate," Dr Nada Omer, Consultant Psychiatrist, Burjeel Hospital, Abu Dhabi said.

"Working all the time can have negative effects on both mental and physical health. Mentally, it can contribute to anxiety, depression, and a general sense of dissatisfaction. Physically, it can lead to issues such as sleep disturbances, headaches, and cardiovascular problems due to prolonged stress. Additionally, a lack of work-life balance can hinder social interactions and personal relationships, further exacerbating mental health issues," she added.

Wellness experts stressed setting boundaries and truly disconnecting from work during personal time is crucial for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Girish Hemnani

“Freedom without responsibility is chaos, but responsibility without freedom is suffocation. The key is finding a dynamic balance — where freedom fuels creativity and exploration, and responsibility grounds it in accountability and growth,” said Girish Hemnani, a Life Coach and Energy Healer based in Dubai.

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