To work or not to work on holidays....
When is it okay to pack the laptop?
Am I a hypocrite? I write about logging off, protecting your non-working time, but I was posting, corresponding with clients, and writing articles while on holiday. I’m not alone, a 2023 survey by Go City found that 48% of Americans check their work email while on paid time off. To be honest, I’m surprised the percentage isn’t higher.
I grappled with this question because when I worked outside of “working hours” in the past— it led to burn-out. Research shows that working during vacations is associated with burn-out. According to a study published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, employees who fail to detach from work during time off experience higher levels of emotional exhaustion and decreased job satisfaction upon returning to work. Another study from Frontiers in Psychology found that true psychological detachment during vacations leads to increased well-being, reduced stress, and improved work performance.
For me, I felt like this instance was different, I could work while on holiday. I know there isn’t a one size fits all question for my clients. Here’s how you can assess if it makes sense to pack the laptop when heading out of the office.
Understand Your Why
If you are packing the laptop because you feel like you always have to be available or you have no choice, that is likely going to lead to resentment. In that scenario, it’s a better idea to figure out how you can build the right systems, team, processes that will allow you to have some time off.
If you are energized by your work, and you look forward to logging in a few hours here and there. Then albeit, carry on. For me, I have been developing the habit of writing everyday. Sometimes it’s work related-other times not. In either case, I enjoy it, it gives me energy, so it made sense to carry this habit forward while on holiday.
Impact
Next, understand how is it going to impact the holiday. Chances are you are taking a holiday to relax, spend time with family and friends, and/or see a new location. If your desire to login is going to take away from your holiday “goals” then it’s time to reevaluate your need to login.
If you can work without compromising your vacation goals, logging on may not be an issue. For me, I’m an early-riser, so it was relatively easy to get some work done before the family even opened their eyes. We also had some bullet-train journeys that provided a few hours of down-time from our vacation activities. It didn’t impede on time with each other and our activities.
Scale Yourself For Success
Whether you decide to work during your holiday, or not—make sure you set yourself up for success. Start by setting boundaries, and communicate those. Let your team know when you will be available and how to best reach you (if at all). Best practice is to ensure you do not need to be constantly checking emails, messages, etc.
Set up your auto-responders to direct people to the right resources and team members. Ideally, you have built the capability of your team to make sure you are not a single point of failure.
Lastly, take on the right mindset. Ask yourself honestly—what can wait, what is urgent, what really needs you to weigh in. Again, delegating these things to your team builds their capabilities and shows you trust their judgement.
Taking these steps will allow you to enjoy your time off, but also allow you to scale yourself when you are in the office.
The choice is yours…
Ultimately, deciding whether to work during a vacation is a personal choice that depends on your motivations, the impact on your time off, and how well you’ve set yourself up for success. If working adds value to your trip without taking away from your experience, it may not be a problem. However, if it leads to resentment, stress, or burnout, it’s a sign to reassess your approach. The key is to be intentional—set clear boundaries, communicate expectations, and trust your team. By doing so, you can find a balance that allows you to recharge while staying engaged in a way that works for you.
Thrive in Work and Life
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