Back in the “good old days” when I was a GM and caravans still had gas lighting, the concept of remote work was as foreign as a unicorn in a car park. If someone on my team had asked to work from home, I probably would’ve needed CPR after falling off my chair. The idea was simple: if you’re not on the park, are you even working?
But hey, times change, and so does the park industry. We’ve had to evolve, and surprise, surprise—there is room for remote and hybrid roles, even at park level. The real question was, could I trust my team to work from home? How would I know they weren’t just binge-watching Netflix? But I’ve realised that a lot of those old office-based tasks could’ve easily been done from anywhere, not just from a desk at HQ.
Now, don’t get me wrong, you can’t exactly save lives as a lifeguard from your living room. But if most of your work is done on a computer, why not sprinkle some flexibility into those roles?
So here I am, lounging in a villa in Spain – working. The sun is shining, my kids are splashing around in the pool, and guess what? My mum guilt has evaporated faster than water on a hot tin roof. That’s the real victory—getting to be with my family more, just because I’m working from home. I know it’s a phrase that’s been run into the ground, but seriously, this has been a game-changer.
If remote work wasn’t an option, I don’t think I could have kept working at all. My daughter has additional needs, and if I were still stuck at the park, I couldn’t be there for her. So, I started thinking about if I was still park life: how could I still be “on park” while also supporting my family?
Well, tech has come a long way. We can now work remotely or at least in a hybrid setup. Someone’s gotta be there, sure, but that doesn’t have to be everyone all the time.
Administrative roles, non-customer-facing jobs—why are we still forcing people to stick to a 9-5 grind in the office? If the work gets done, does it matter where it happens?
Microsoft SharePoint can be accessed from anywhere, and Microsoft Teams brings people together like before.
Honestly, I used to worry that remote work would be lonely, or that I’d lose those water-cooler moments with colleagues. But you know what? We probably communicate more now than when we were all crammed into the same office. And those bonds? Stronger than ever.
At our last customer day, someone pointed out how staff were hugging customers—something you don’t see in an office environment. We’ve built such strong connections with our team and clients that it felt like reuniting with childhood friends.
But what about the classic worry: “What if they don’t do the work?”
Well, what if they weren’t doing the work in the office? Just because someone’s in an office doesn’t mean they’re productive. Working from home? All we’ve got to show are our deliverables, so trust me, we’re getting it done. And with call tracking systems and CRM tools, you can see exactly what’s happening, sometimes with more clarity than when you’re asking for updates from the office.
The Industry Can Do More and Reap the Benefits
Recruitment is tough these days, and candidates expect more. Spoiler: pizza parties aren’t going to cut it (were they ever?). Offering remote work widens your talent pool, attracting higher-quality candidates who might not live nearby but can still bring immense value to your business. That’s a game-changer. (that’s twice – I’m sorry).
Think about how many working families could benefit from remote options—better stability, improved mental health, and that elusive work-life balance. Happier employees mean better results and a stronger business overall.
So yeah, give it a thought. Meanwhile, I’m off for a quick dip in the pool with my kids during lunch.
Cheers!
Nina, a mum with zero mum guilt.
Nina Shaw | Customer Services Manager| Elite Dynamics
Book a demo of EliteParks, or schedule a call with one of The Elite Team.