Vacation Time
Vacation Time
As summer hits its stride, this seems the right time to ask. Question warning – this is blog written almost entirely in questions.
How do you shut down from work to leave for vacation? How do you set expectations?
Do you turn on your out-of-office and what does it say? Is it formal or informal? Do you identify a backup?
While you are away, do you check email and assuming so, how frequently? Do you return phone calls? Is your laptop with you? Are notifications still turned “on” on your devices?
And the biggest question – what is your advice for making sure that vacation is what is intended to be -- a chance to rest, enjoy and recharge?
Comments
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Back when I was working in…
Back when I was working in the corporate world haha, last year, I looked forward to disconnecting. My out of office was set that I would be away with no email or phone connection and it had a coworkers name and phone # if needed. I kept my phone off and didn't take my laptop. If I did, I would not be on a vacation.
I set OOO and put at least…
I set OOO and put at least one other contact on it. And before I leave, I make sure that internally everyone who needs to know/support has what they need (context, access, etc.). I will also let active client contacts know ahead of time.
In terms of tech:
-laptop - yes, I always bring it with me, but that's more about the "just in case" scenario - and I'm not actually talking about urgent work. This is the offshoot of "just in case of a global pandemic and I'm stuck where I am for the next two years, at least I have my laptop". I said this to my wife recently, and she said "wow, that's dark". I laughed and said that I agree (I really don't usually maintain such a dark outlook) but I no longer see that specific contingency as being pessimistic - it's just plain practical!
-notices on phone - i probably should turn them off but i usually don't. I have a vacation coming up next week and will decide then if this is the time I do that. :)
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