Do You Check In at Work While On Vacation?

Published May 22, 2018 at 5:03 pm

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Your bags are packed and you’re headed out of town.

As soon as you reach your hotel, do you check your email?

Or probably text a work colleague to make sure everything at work is okay?

Well, you’re not alone. A lot of Canadians do that too!

While 64 per cent don’t typically check in, 34 per cent do. Millennials more than others. Forty-six per cent of those who responded between the ages of 18-34 will have some contact compared to 27 per cent of those 55 and over.

The survey, conducted by staffing firm Accountemps, also revealed that people plan to take an average of nine vacation days this summer, which is down from 11 days in 2017.

And, similar surveys reveal that the frequency of checking in with work has stayed consistent.

In 2016, 36 per cent said they plan to check in while on vacation, in 2017 that number was close to 33 per cent.

Knowing everything is well at work perhaps offers peace of mind and helps focus on relaxing. And, of course, planning ahead is the best.

It’s key to delegate assignments to team members to keep projects on track. This will also limit how often you check in at work.

“By letting yourself unplug and reset, you’ll return more energized, focused and productive,” said David King, Canadian president of Accountemps.

Other practices to have a stress-free vacation, include bringing everyone – your colleagues and your boss – up to speed. Let all the key players know you’re leaving and ask if there’s anything you can do before you leave.

Let you co-workers know a specific-time you will check in or can be reached at. And, avoid making calls outside that window.

But, clarify exceptions to the rule. You don’t want to leave your team hanging in the middle of a crisis.

Update your voicemail and prepare your inbox. It’s best to set up an out-of-office email reply. And, you don’t want a mountain of messages when you’re back. So, delete items out of your trash folder, and make sure your voicemail is updated too.

Think of your vacation as a mandatory break and probably disconnect. Whatever kind of vacation you take, if you can, it’s best to leave work and most of your devices behind.

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