Workation is a combination of the words work and vacation. The idea behind it is to work at popular vacation spots during the day and explore the area in the evenings and on weekends. The most popular use of this option is to vacation locally first and then work there - or the other way around. The main thing is a good internet connection and, if there are fixed working hours, not too much difference in time zones. For many employees, whether or not an employer offers workation is now a decisive factor when looking for a job.

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Workation in Mallorca

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At Vytal it is possible to work from abroad for up to 30 days a year. Our colleague Sabine took advantage of this offer and enjoyed her work and free time on Mallorca from April 2 to May 26. In the interview, she tells us about her experience with Workation.

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Feel free to introduce yourself.

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My name is Sabine Unger, I am 57 years old and live in Geilenkirchen, near Aachen. I work here at Vytal in Customer & Partner Service.
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The choice of place - Cala Ratjada in Mallorca

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Where was your workstation and why did you choose this place?

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My workation was in Cala Ratjada in Mallorca, Spain, and this place chose me, not the other way around. I had been looking for an apartment for quite a long time, just not in the Palma / S`Arenal area. When I was about to give up, I found by chance, at that time still via Ebay classifieds, an ad that there is an apartment for rent. She had found me. When I am not on site, my daughter lives here most of the time.

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What were your reasons for taking up the Workation offer?

Summer, wind, sunshine and blue sea. In addition, my daughter's boyfriend is from here. They both did their education in Germany and met each other there. I wanted to see for myself what life is like here to make sure I feel comfortable here. In the long term, I would like to live and work in Mallorca.

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Everyday work during the workation

Was your everyday working life very different from that in Germany?

Working there was no different from working in Germany, except for the workplace and the sunny view with palm trees in front of the door. Since I suffer from seasonal depressive episodes, the sun, the sea, the people, the food and the music of the Mallorcans did me sooo good. 

What did you learn during the Workation?

I have learned to take more time with some things and to be more attentive. For example, enjoying the moment when I am with my dogs by the sea. Sitting by the sea for 30 minutes, listening to the waves and feeling the wind....balm for my soul! Even if that sounds totally cheesy.

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Advantages and disadvantages of workation

Tell me, what are the pros and cons of workation?

Advantages: You're on "vacation" and you're working. It gave me the opportunity to get to know the country and its people better than I could in 14 days of vacation. The work was easier for me, because the sun and everything did me super good. I was able to make acquaintances with people who have emigrated to Mallorca. I also learned Spanish, at least enough to communicate a little.

Disadvantages: I can only think of one and a half disadvantages. I didn't have my usual work equipment, there was no second monitor, and my back really missed my office chair. The health care system is different, but in terms of competencies it is one of the best in Europe. Our German health insurances cover all costs, provided you go to the "Centros de Salud". For me, that was in Capdepera, so not in my town. There, you are treated by the doctors who are there at the time; in other words, you don't have a "fixed" doctor. For this reason, I looked for a private doctor on site.

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Where did you live and work during that time?

I rented a small apartment, right in Cala Ratjada. When I stand in front of the front door and look to the left I see the sea and when I look to the right I see mountains. My apartment is furnished and has a small bedroom, a living room area with integrated kitchen and two balconies. One is a normal balcony and the other is like a utility room where the washing machine is, where you can hang your laundry, etc. When I am not on site, then as I said, my daughter lives in the apartment, so I can also keep the apartment. I also have to pay rent here in Germany.