Why work in the morning when you can rent a paddle board and cruise through town? You can do so with Toronto Islands SUP. (Photo courtesy of Toronto Islands SUP)
Early in the pandemic, when we were all forced to shelter in place and work remotely, companies were pleasantly surprised to discover that productivity was not adversely affected. The occasional awkward Zoom call aside, many employees learned how to thrive in virtual office settings. And the lines between work and personal life became increasingly blurred. While some would work a few hours after dinner, those tasks may have been offset by taking a lunchtime walk outside, or perhaps attend an online spin class midday.
In the five years since then, some companies have mandated a full-time return to office — as though the remote work revolution never happened. Other companies boast about their work-life balance and remote-first environment, with nary a head office in sight. While the pros and cons of each of these setups are hotly debated, there are organizations who try to strike the right balance — creating a hybrid work policy that allows employees to work part-time at office, part-time at home. Some even have a policy that offers employees a certain number of weeks or months per year where they can work from anywhere.
Working remotely at a place that is not your dining-room table conjures up glamourous images of the digital nomad. Perhaps lounging on a Caribbean beach with your laptop in hand, and a frothy drink close by. Or sitting at an outdoor café in Paris with a notebook, a café au lait, and croissant spread out in front of you. Or completing a three-hour hike at a national park before your 9 a.m. conference call.
But some may not have the time or budget to take an exotic trip, and this year, especially, many Canadians are committed to travelling domestically or bolstering their economy at home. To that end, here are some examples of combining a great local experience (in this case, in Toronto) with a productive day of work.
Sheraton Centre Downtown Toronto
Work From Pool or relax between tasks during your Sheraton Centre Downtown Toronto stay. (Photo courtesy of Sheraton Centre Downtown Toronto)
Just a couple of blocks away from the Big Office Energy of Bay Street is the Sheraton Centre, a veritable urban oasis. Day or month passes to the state-of-the-art fitness centre that includes access to the indoor-outdoor pool are not cheap ($100-plus for the day; monthly passes are also available). But if you can indulge, you feel like a VIP within minutes of entering. Get there early and do a few hours of deep work in the back area of the sundeck, away from the kids splashing in the pool and the soft rock soundtrack. Squeeze a quick workout in before lunch (choose from weights, treadmill, rowing machines, or a Peleton ride). And when you feel peckish, the hotel mobile dining service app connects you to the kitchen from a poolside lounge chair. (This would be the ideal time to attend a group Teams call with yourself on mute.) And when you have had enough sun, you can take a shower, a sauna, and head home to finish off your workday.
Ward’s Island, Toronto Islands
When you need a break from work chores, Toronto Islands SUP is ready to deliver a recharge as you connect with nature in the city. (Photo courtesy of Toronto Islands SUP)
Ward’s Island on the east side of the Toronto Islands is also close to the financial hub of Toronto but it feels like worlds away from the concrete jungle. No cars are allowed on the island and the few hundred residents who inhabit it are highly committed to keeping pollution off the beaches and out of the water. This sensibility makes for a scenic place to clear your head and a serene workspace. Your deep work can be done sitting on the beach or while you grab coffee or lunch on a picnic table at the Island Café or at the Riviera Café (if you are off-site with others, this is also a wonderful place to go for a drink after work). As for your midday workout, take your pick from a walk or a bike ride on the boardwalk, or my personal favourite, an hour stand-up paddle board rental from Toronto Island SUP. Fun Fact: Some of your best strategizing can be done while standing on the water. And on the 15-minute ferry ride to and from the island, you can focus on answering emails but be sure to look up at least once to take in a stunning view of the CN Tower and downtown skyline.
If you are unable to take a full day but still want a change in scenery, the Summerhill location of this local coffee chain is a remodelled Victorian home with rustic charm, great coffee, and a workation-friendly environment. The back patio provides a quiet space during the weekday to focus on your laptop for a couple of hours, though you may find yourself striking up the occasional conversation with other like-minded workers.
Before You Go — Do Your Due Diligence
No matter where you work remotely, there are some definite dos and don’ts to follow. Always read your company policy as to what may be required to work offsite. There could be an expectation that you be available during certain times of day, even if your location is flexible. There may be additional security settings on your computer required and you will need to ensure you have sufficient privacy when taking a call. In short, meet your deadlines and guard your company secrets like your job depends on it (because it could). If you have this covered, your workation should be golden.
