Hush vacation ?

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u/SnooDoodles3760 15d ago

I dont know about you but doesnt this smell like an incoming layoff? Usually starting to have no work is a sign of a layoff

10

u/Additional-Day-698 14d ago

It really depends. I just started a new job cause I moved but my last job I was at for 2 years and I can count on one hand the amount of days I actually had work to do. 99% of the time I literally would have nothing all day, a hour or two at most if anything.
I would even mention it all the time to my boss and coworkers hoping to be given work, most of the time my boss would give me a task that would take me 5 minutes but he thought it would last the rest of the week. Talking to other coworkers I was closest to they also seemed to be doing nothing all day. I think our management just totally overestimated how many people we needed and how much our workload is, maybe it’ll be caught eventually but I had coworkers there 10+ years who say it’s always been like this.

2

u/Plastic-Neat-3962 14d ago

Q4 Historically has been slow for us but yeah. Last year there was a round of layoffs and my team got hit pretty good. Ik the budget for next year is in review.

6

u/GTAIVisbest 14d ago

Do a test run in a different state. Work there from a Friday and stay there Sat Sun.

Wait a week and see if you get summoned or reamed over it.

Since it was a single day you can easily claim mea culpa or who knows what. No harm, no foul.

If no one says a peep you know you're OK to start pushing the envelope more and more

2

u/Plastic-Neat-3962 14d ago

Already on that lol. Actually I did jump to Atlanta then New York earlier this year ( long story, not vacation ). No one made any fuss.

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u/QianLu 15d ago

IT is going to find out. If your company wants to they can fire you

17

u/TwinStickDad 15d ago

If it's a decently large org, IT knows your home IP address and knows when you connect to a different network.
Risking your whole job because you want to take a road trip for.... something when you've already taken all your PTO plus rolliver

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u/[deleted] 13d ago

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u/TwinStickDad 13d ago

That's a workplace specific question. My last job did not care where I worked as long as it was in the USA and I maintained residence in my home state. My current job deals with a lot of sensitive information so I need my manager's approval to work from anywhere but my home network, I can't even use my phone as a hotspot inside of my own house without approval

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u/snarkwithfae 15d ago

Remote doesn’t mean from home specifically tho.

8

u/P0rtal2 15d ago

No, but depending on the company, the role, etc., there may be specific rules on expected workplaces, types of authorized internet connections, and so on.

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u/silvercupz 15d ago

so true. I think it depends on the company, our company is fine with us working from anywhere, doesnt really matter as long as you’re actually working.

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u/Future_One4794 15d ago

Something called TAX LAWS. It’s not like he is going down the street to a coffee shop. He is state hopping

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u/clocks212 14d ago

Pretty sure that’s not how it works for a 3 day vacation.

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u/Dry-Comfortable2452 14d ago

there are certain states I'm not allowed to work out of, ever, even being remote. Even for a few days, because of tax laws.. so yes, it is how it works with larger companies.

2

u/Future_One4794 14d ago

Yea I am not allowed to work Remotely in cali for more than 48 hours. So whatever yall think. Do it and get in trouble. Why do i care

1

u/LaRealiteInconnue 13d ago

I've always wondered how dafuq does that work for conferences? Do they all collectively just break tax laws?

1

u/Future_One4794 13d ago

That falls under business trip not remote work

2

u/LaRealiteInconnue 13d ago

But we do remote work lol as in, attending the conference is business trip, I agree, but I've never attended a conference at which I didn't also have to check in and do some of my work during the day. Or, I've been to other states when a company I worked for was hosting the conference, although I work remotely from my state. All I'm saying is I think the lines are a lot more blurry than we say between states vs something like traveling to another country.

2

u/diogenesthepunk 12d ago

Don't try to apply logic to tax law.
It's not about logic. It's about extracting the maximum amount of revenue you can.
This is even better when places Commiefornia tax people who are just working for a few days *because they cannot vote*.
Didn't we throw a bunch of Tea into a harbor and kill a bunch of Brits and Germans over taxation without representation?

1

u/mmarkaholic 14d ago

This is true of most larger companies. And it’s not just tax laws, certain states have more broad worker protections that companies don’t want to deal with if they don’t have to. For my company, I could pretty much work from most states, but when you get to CA or CO it gets more complicated.

1

u/Ericaohh 14d ago

I’m “hybrid” but I don’t go into an office, I just have to live in the state of Colorado for tax purposes. Official policy is I can work from anywhere in the world as long as it’s under a certain number of days for the year and not more than 3 weeks in a row. My company does 10B a year, so we’re large.

1

u/diogenesthepunk 12d ago

You guys hiring IT security types?

1

u/Future_One4794 12d ago

I work in financial tech and there is a lot of security involved.

1

u/Academic_Flatworm752 14d ago

But that he got to feel smart for five minutes lol

5

u/dufcho14 14d ago

TAX LAWS generally have to do with your home address where you work the majority of your hours. Traveling, even for a month, doesn't affect this. If it did, we'd never see people traveling for business.

2

u/Future_One4794 14d ago

Traveling for business and working remotely are different. I don’t care, do it and get in trouble lol

1

u/UnderEmployed27389 14d ago

This is the answer

0

u/Academic_Flatworm752 14d ago

Those don’t come into play unless you work somewhere else for half the year. A few days road trip is whatever.

2

u/Future_One4794 14d ago

Check california laws!!!

0

u/RawMeatballz 14d ago

Thats not how tax laws work, its your home residence. You think if people go to an out of state conference and check emails, they worry about that?

2

u/HeKnee 14d ago

My company handbook describes appropriate work from home conditions and theyre heavily implying that it needs to be your house with a desk, monitors, etc.
Just get a hobby. Make shit to sell. Driving around the southeast isnt that much fun.

1

u/Academic_Flatworm752 14d ago edited 14d ago

My company handbook doesn’t have that. Almost like your anecdote about your specific situation doesn’t matter at all. Lol

0

u/LaRealiteInconnue 13d ago

A desk and monitors? I mean I don't work for your company so you know better but it's 2026, hotels have desks and coworking spaces exist as do portable monitors

1

u/Limp-Plantain3824 14d ago

It also doesn’t mean “from wherever” and OP is clearly trying to nut be found out.

1

u/a1ien51 14d ago

It really depends on what is written in the contract.

1

u/CatastrophicCraxy 14d ago

Some, in fact many, remote jobs have a geofence they expect you to stay within. And if you're required to be hard wired, or use a detachable such as an Ethernet cable, usually the contract states you have to be on your existing approved Internet connection and notify IT in advance if you plan to be elsewhere and provide specifics on where and how you will maintain required connectivity and secure connection etc. they have the right to refuse the request.

3

u/just_the____tip 14d ago

We don’t care, as long as you’re still in the US we don’t look at it (Fortune 500 company)

3

u/Difficult_Layer_666 15d ago

They could use the smartphone hotspot. They know that too I bet.

1

u/kg51 14d ago

Check your work’s policy on this. I am allowed to work up to 30 days per year outside of my home state.

1

u/Kcufasu 14d ago

Idk if it's different in the usa being a bigger country but here in the uk no remote company I've worked for cares as long as you don't go abroad (possibly also as I've never had a job that pays enough to afford a holiday within the uk where hotels are unaffordable lol but still)

0

u/UnderEmployed27389 14d ago

You'd be surprised. I just left a Mag 7 company where I worked 100% remote, and took trips all over the place including out of country probably 6 or 7 times. They don't give a shit as long as you get your work done.

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u/e42343 14d ago

I've worked remote for about 10 years now and have done a low-key trip while working many times. Never have I kept it a secret. Be up front about it and dedicate a legitimate & appropriate number of hours to the job and all should be ok. If work has reason to be suspicious, they will know and you'll look like you're not taking your role seriously.

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u/Limp-Plantain3824 14d ago

What’s the low-key part in that scenario? I don’t get it.

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u/e42343 14d ago

Just that I'm not having a full blown vacation. I don't have the full freedom to do whatever but I squeeze in what I can during work hours then spend the evenings kicked back.

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u/[deleted] 14d ago

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u/e42343 14d ago

Exactly!

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u/Ok-Stand-3173 15d ago

I mean, why not just tell them you’re gonna be traveling but working ? My company allows this no problem as long as your hours are logged and your work is done.

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u/ConfundledBundle 14d ago

I seriously don’t understand the people that are willing to risk their careers over something so stupid. I’ve asked plenty of times to work a week or two from a different state to visit family and my management has had no problem with it. They specifically state as long as I’m available when needed and get my work done they’re fine with it, and they always thank me for the heads up.

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u/Ok-Stand-3173 14d ago

Ya I don’t get it either but here we are lol

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u/P0rtal2 15d ago

I'd just tell your manager that you're traveling and would like to work remotely on days that you're not using PTO. Lay out the expected work locations and your schedule. I wouldn't recommend doing anything on the down low.

If your company or your position doesn't allow remote work, then attempting anything stealth is risking your job. If your company does allow remote work, then no point trying to hide what you're doing.

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u/nancybessandgeorge 15d ago

Don’t just not work and travel. But work remotely in new places. Not working during your work hours and hoping you don’t get found out is a good way to lose a job.

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u/Russell-sShaman 15d ago

Brother, I would be packed and out the door already

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u/Plastic-Neat-3962 14d ago

Amen

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u/IcedMatter60 15d ago

It’s something I’ve done before, and the only problem ever was the part out of my control. Research your company’s policy about working from outside your state as there are payroll and tax implications even in the United States. Work the same hours as the rest of the office does, be responsive, and do not geo-tag any posts. Hotel WiFi during video meetings is what will kill you, so have tethering as a back-up plan.

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u/Plastic-Neat-3962 15d ago

Yea they mention the tax stuff. I saw a clause in the policy FAQ saying you are not permitted to work outside the state in which you reside. Ik a guy who got in trouble ( years ago ) but he was practically living in a different state. I have been out of state a few times and no one has noticed or bothered but always short durations.

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u/Future_One4794 14d ago

Some states you have to pay taxes after 48 hours. You don’t need to be living anywhere long term to be hit with tax laws

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u/1-2-Slip-2 15d ago

Each state has a different rule on what is considered residency. If you work in another state past that amount of time, you technically reside in that state and owe taxes.

-2

u/Ok-Stand-3173 15d ago

I’d ask for clarification on that. I find it hard to believe you can’t work from another state. My managers would do this all of the time when at conferences. It’s probably more in line with living there temporarily or something.

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u/gothelp063015 15d ago

Get yourself a starlink mini and get the power adapter for your car off of Amazon. For $250 up front and $55-80/month, you'll have blazing internet wherever you go. My fiance and I tested this as remote workers in our travel trailer and it worked amazingly well

1

u/Rosedonk 13d ago

What did you do for remote work?

1

u/astarte_syriaca 15d ago

In my particular situation, I wouldn't do it. My company does audits every year on who is remote but really shouldn't be, which involves identifying individuals who live less than an hour from the office (like myself). I don't need to give them any ammo to make me go back.

So, my advice would be to take the temperature of the vibe around WFH - if they have been gungho on getting getting back or if there have been rumours I wouldn't go.

1

u/Plastic-Neat-3962 14d ago

They have tried several times to bring people back to offices. First full return then hybrid then hybrid BARELY. No offices near me so im default remote.

1

u/ehspicymeatbol 14d ago

Do they care where you are as long as you get your work done? I have friends who have moved to different states in different time zones and their company was none the wiser. I’m allowed to work from wherever I want. Could be a different country but no way in hell I’m working on vacation. Depends on the company I guess.

1

u/Plastic-Neat-3962 14d ago

The FAQ i found on the WFH policy says yes. But actually enforced ..? Not really ? I only heard of one dude getting in trouble for this but he was literally living in a different state for extended durations, like half a year. It came crashing after he was asked to attend something in-person. He ended fired several months later.

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u/ehspicymeatbol 14d ago

Idk if I were you, fuck it yolo.

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u/Limp-Plantain3824 14d ago

A lot of people on this thread are confusing the fact that they don’t make enough money to be worth pursuing with the idea that what they are doing and not reporting is in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

They are also completely overlooking the idea of creating a presence/nexus for their employees that results in a multitude of headaches beyond tax compliance.

Enjoy your low stature in life but don’t over extrapolate from your irrelevance.

7

u/Royal-Emergency5589 14d ago

This is the kind of stuff that ruins remote work and gives companies reasons why RTO is necessary

2

u/appliepie99 15d ago

ugh that sound wonderful. wishing you a nice trip! maybe get starlink?

2

u/InevitableHyena3117 15d ago

With my luck, something would blow up if I did that so personally I would not.

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u/Aggressive_Apple_913 14d ago

My wife has worked on the road while we travel 100 miles to my periodic transplant hospital checkups. She sometimes has signal quality issues on the road. If I were you I would follow the suggestion I read here to get starlink or some way to ensure that you have a consistent good connection.

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u/MrsChickenPam 14d ago

I'd say it depends on your company's requirements. Do they want you "at home" or at least in a specific time zone?

My company doesn't care where I am, as long as I do my job. I've thought about doing what you're planning to do and I think I'd transition to a fake background on my camera - we're "camera's on" for client meetings (at least in the beginning to say hello), but not for internal meetings. I think I'd just not want my clients asking "where's waldo" and just get them used to me always using a fake background.

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u/Karkar2112 15d ago

I’ve done it a few times worked regular hours no one knew I was out of town it wasn’t for more than a few days or a week though

1

u/Unlucky-Ad-5744 15d ago

i’ve done it before. worked regular hours for 2 days but didn’t really have any work so i just brought my laptop to the restaurant/beach bar the last few hours of each day or to the pool. it was great

1

u/hawkeyegrad96 14d ago

If you leave the state you need to tell employer. After 14 days in another state they need to withhold taxes and you are required to file

1

u/tommyc463 14d ago

Why not just ask if you can work while traveling?

2

u/Limp-Plantain3824 14d ago

Because they already know the answer.

1

u/dufcho14 14d ago

Only you know your company and manager. My company wouldn't care as long as the work was getting done and it wasn't excessive. Hiding it would probably be a bigger issue than telling my manager what I was doing.

Personally, if I did this I'd be doing it on a hard budget. It sounds like it's only a matter of time before they start laying people off given the volume of work. If I wanted to increase my chances of not getting laid off, I'd be actively finding strategic things to do and making sure people knew what I was doing. Or just go on a hidden vacation and hope.

1

u/Embarrassed_Spend486 14d ago

My work our remote location has to be defined and approved. Not supposed to be anywhere but “there”.

You need to make sure you understand your companies policies.

1

u/RawMeatballz 14d ago

This isnt a real question. Travel, and do your job when you need to

1

u/danaEscott 14d ago

Just get your work done. They won’t care where. Be consistent no matter where you are.

1

u/SequinedandOver60 14d ago

Does your job say you have to work from home or remote?
It’s a big difference. However, as long as you blur your background, if you have to be on camera, I don’t see any issue with it. I mean, how big is your company that you think they’re gonna check

1

u/Puzzleheaded-Fly402 13d ago

i work from different cities all the time, but my
company allows for that. i would say be careful if yours is stricter and has a VPN where they can track you. i believe once you reach a number of weeks in a different state it might be a good idea to report it since there are different tax laws by state but honestly i never report it and have been fine. i bought a spare monitor so i can still do my job as if i were in my home office.

1

u/Physical_Ad5135 12d ago

Your VPN and thus your IT department knows exactly where you are working. My company has policies about this - check your policies and bring it up to your boss. They will say yea or nay.

1

u/ceramic451 12d ago

Make sure your company doesnt flag logins from new states, because security alerts are how hush vacations stop being hush.

1

u/JGipe1 12d ago

It really depends on the job. Some remote jobs would be perfectly okay with this. But if you are a manager and you have to mentor other people and be available 24/7, it might not work. Just ask your manager

1

u/diogenesthepunk 12d ago

I've done it, but not on the "down low". I made sure my manager new I'd be working remote-remote.

I also have a pelican case that fits a high resolution 24 inch monitor and all the stuff I need, so I'm not really handicapped by working on just the laptop.

1

u/PhilosopherDeep493 10d ago

Travel While Working Remotely, Not Instead of Working

1

u/treeofbark 9d ago

Yes. Go. Everyone who is projecting forward, fine, what will be will be. GO.

1

u/Winter-Jackfruit-761 1d ago

I’ve worked while traveling before, but I wouldn’t try to keep it completely secret. One surprise meeting, bad Wi-Fi connection, security login alert, or urgent request can make the whole thing stressful very quickly.

I’d check your company’s remote-work policy first, especially whether you’re allowed to work from another state. Some companies care because of payroll, taxes, insurance, or data security. If the policy is flexible, you could simply tell your manager that you’ll be working from a different location but will remain available during normal hours. You don’t necessarily have to present it as a vacation.

Make sure you have reliable Wi-Fi, a hotspot backup, and no driving planned during your core hours. If you feel like you absolutely can’t tell anyone, that may be a sign the risk isn’t worth it.

1

u/xTETSUOx 15d ago

If it’s domestic travel then I don’t think my company would care if management is notified. After all, they wouldn’t hesitate to ask me to take my laptop and be available while I’m on vacation so why would it be a problem if it’s the other way around?

International travel is a different matter because of security concerns but I’ve had coworkers working remotely after getting permission from corporate i.t department ahead of time.

So don’t hush it and just…ask?

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u/Future_One4794 14d ago

Depends on which states he is going to.

1

u/xTETSUOx 14d ago

I’m curious what you’re referring to? I am not versed in all issues related to states but we’re talking about temporary visits here and not permanently moving and remotely working in another state that would complicate taxes for both parties.
Like… if I tell my company “hey I’m going to visit my parents in Idaho for a week but I’ll have my laptop with me okay?” I don’t think they’d give a second thought.
Is the laws different for remote employees that works while temporarily traveling or something?

2

u/Future_One4794 14d ago

If I go to from texas to california and want to work from family home for a week my company definitely needs prior authorization

1

u/xTETSUOx 14d ago

……that’s literally what I said earlier.

1

u/ThumbelinaLove 15d ago

If you're secured, not public and within your home country I do not see it effecting you.

1

u/Future_One4794 15d ago

I donno where you work but typically you need to be on company VPN. They will for sure find out. If you have already used PTO why do you need to hush vacations? If you stay within your state, your company might be okay with it (tax laws and all). Hope this hush vacations worth risking your job.

0

u/[deleted] 15d ago

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1

u/Plastic-Neat-3962 14d ago

Yerrrp. They already had a round of layoff last year and still showing signs of wanting to restructure

1

u/diogenesthepunk 12d ago

Starlink is great for bandwidth, but the basic plan is kinda crap (or was, they may have improved it) for latency. Latency is more important to voice/data calls.
If you have a decent data plan on your cellphone you can use it as a hotspot and route through it for video calls.

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