Q: Lately, I’ve noticed that it’s become almost the norm for employees to do some sort of work while they’re on vacation. They’re responding to emails, calling into conference calls, and checking on things. I, for one, like to leave for vacation and forget about work. I’m worried this will no longer be possible. Will all of us be expected to stay in touch?
A: You are describing an increasingly common practice, referred to in the urban dictionary as “workations”. And whether this becomes a new norm for you will likely depend on whether you work in an industry dependant on information, data, and technology.
Recent surveys of these type of industries show that anywhere from 75% to 82% of workers surveyed maintain some contact with the office while on vacation.
Why is it happening? For some, they like what they do, and don’t want to miss anything. For others, they’re anxious about what problems might await upon their return if they disengage completely, so they’d rather work one hour each day so they can relax the rest of that day. Yet others may feel their jobs are vulnerable if left unattended. Perhaps this is why some on the survey said that staying in touch made them feel less stressed.
Obviously, working while vacationing is not ideal. Vacations are supposed to be a time when we disconnect, recharge ourselves, and gain perspective. Experts actually recommend unplugging from technology for several days at a time in order to reset our brains, and free ourselves from unhealthy tech habits.
But if the choice for someone is workation or no vacation, the workation is definitely better. Each year the average worker leaves 2 out of 14 days of vacation unused. So, working a couple of hours but still being able to get away is worth it.
Next time you’re planning a vacation, double-check your supervisor’s expectations. Make sure there aren’t new unwritten rules about staying in touch. If you’re on the same page, then feel free to manage co-workers’ expectations: “I won’t be reachable, please see so-and-so while I’m away”, works well. Otherwise, you’ll have to join the workation trend. Or switch fields.
© Copyright Eva Del Rio
