Is it really a vacation when you keep up with work?

When you read this I’ll be on vacation. I wrote this in advance and scheduled it to post while I’m away in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. I have a fondness for vacation spots where I’m hard to reach and electronic signals are scarce.  But unwired locations don’t stop me from doing some checking in and getting something done.

In increasing numbers Americans skip vacation days altogether or stay connected while on the beach. With a variety of communication tools 20% of the 6,800 employees polled by Harris Interactive for Career Builder responded that they would be working during their 2007 summer getaway.

Whether you keep in touch or ask your employees to do the same is going to depend on your company and your role.  Last summer I didn’t hide the fact that I checked my BlackBerry while I was cycling and kayaking in the San Juan Islands of Washington State and again on a family trip to Cooperstown, New York. I’m self employed so I don’t earn vacation days while I’m away.

If I can respond to some messages, make a few appointments and even book business I sleep better. This takes no more than a few minutes on occasional days when I can get a signal. I don’t try to give clients the impression that I’m in the office and I don’t want friends and family members to feel that my mind is still in the office.

From the employee perspective answering questions and responding to infrequent requests could also save time and stress when they return, the vacation feeling might last a bit longer.  Some managers go overboard. During one summer vacation at a mountain lodge with one guest phone, and no cell service I participated in about three hours of “urgent“ phone conversations. None of these put me in a good mood and all required getting to the phone at just the right time. My boss really thought it couldn’t wait 10 days and I was the only person who could resolve the situation.  I was more aggravated than flattered.

A few months ago a friend asked me to review an offer letter they had received for a new position.  I was startled to read a section that required employees to be available and respond to the office while on vacation. This certainly gave a clear impression of the company culture.

Before a vacation an employee should be able to give enough direction to someone else to handle the work. They may also tell customers or clients who to contact in their absence. If you think you might have to keep in touch with a subordinate sit down beforehand and agree on what’s expected. Respect an employee’s plans. Would you want your spouse checking their email on your honeymoon?