Sydney woman reveals the ultimate perk of working from home

A Sydney woman who spends part of the year travelling the world and working abroad says employers need to make a big change to keep staff around.

My light bulb moment came in the form of a ridiculously cheap airfare, a friend longing for me to visit and the realisation my Sydney remote workplace could become a quiet corner in the Beverly Hills Hotel for a week.

The timezone worked a treat. My morning routine was hitting a workout class, getting breakfast while exploring the city – before opening the laptop in the afternoon to start my workday at 7am Sydney time. Then after work the LA night-life beckoned, trying out the coolest restaurants and bars.

While some employers are focused on trying to drag staff back to the office, mine are embracing my sense of adventure. They trust I’ll not only get my job done but I will continue to give 110 per cent when I’m working.

The global workforce report from Kelly titled 2024 Kelly Global RE: Work Report revealed a third of Australian executives believe the Return to Office has had a negative impact on workplace culture.

Amna said the ‘light bulb moment’ of working abroad came after a cheap flight.

Amna spends time abroad as part of her WFH routine

The 9-to-5 corporate rat race is quickly becoming a thing of the past, with skills shortages and good workers unlikely to stay engaged in a job that doesn’t offer flexibility and stifles the team’s sense of purpose.

Too many employers are failing to acknowledge the workforce has changed. Staff are now prioritising flexibility over everything else but some managers still have their hands over their ears.

I worked for seven years as a journalist before moving into Public Relations and never did I imagine I’d be able to wake up in the morning and log on from a different country of my choosing.

The intensity of my role hasn’t changed, but I’m far more fulfilled because I can get more in my day with work-life balance.

My first ‘work-cation’ was exhilarating and months later I did it again, and I’ve just returned from Bali, escaping the Sydney winter chill.

It is quite surreal to be working from a beach, cafe or by the pool with a familiar holiday buzz combined with a focused work ethic. For the first time in my life, I feel complete freedom in my career.

Changing up my work environment shifts my mindset and energises me, whether my workplace is at home, at a cafe, a co-working space or in another country.

Amna said she never thought she’d be able to wake up and log in to work from a different country.

Amna said it is quite surreal to be working from a different country.

When I first started working remotely full time, friends warned that I’d be lonely and wouldn’t get as much human interaction. In the eyes of others the glass was half empty with concern, when it should have been half full with optimism – as the freedom and autonomy gives me a better lifestyle.

I thrive in my job instead of being chained to it and I’m no longer stuck in the peak hour commute.

Working remotely full time isn’t going to work for all occupations and maybe not for everyone, as I’m not going to lie you need to be disciplined, organised and focused when you’re on work time, but employees want options.

And while being fully remote can feel tedious sometimes and the office gossip isn’t what it used to be, the benefits are worth it. I’m more motivated and passionate in my career than I have ever been.

Amna Yang works for In The Media PR and is based most of the year in Sydney.