“Workplace transparency is a hallmark of a great company,” she says. “Embracing openness is proven to breed long-term success as trust between employees and employers is established, morale is kept high and employee happiness and productivity is increased.”

Because of this, Cotton doesn’t recommend taking a hush trip, no matter how tempting it may be. “If you are considering a hush trip, ask yourself why you need to keep what you are doing quiet,” she recommends. “Will the hush trip go against company guidelines or do you fear that your boss won’t trust you to work from a different location?”

She continues: “Being transparent isn’t always easy but often it’s the right thing to do. If your company allows flexible working and being somewhere other than home doesn’t impact your output or have financial implications [such as tax and visa restrictions] for the company, bring up the conversation with your line manager. If the workplace is steeped in respect and trust, you might just get an answer you are happy with.”

Why the ‘hush trips’ trend is symbolic of a bigger workplace issue