Are You REALLY on Vacation?

It is that time of the year. Vacation requests are coming in. You look around the office and notice that people are gone for a week or more. The onset of Summer has corporate workers heading to the beach.

Sounds great?

Well, too many are bringing their cell phones, PDAs, and laptops.

The problem?

They use them for business while they are on vacation.

Bad.

Sounds stupid, right? Think how many times you see the “out of office” reply message that says “Will be out on vacation from the week of x to x, will have access to email.”

Sad.

If you answer emails from work on your vacation, you instantly leave your vacation and return to the office you were trying to leave behind.

The truth.

I know this, because I did this for years. I answered emails, phone calls, even had conference calls with clients. I was being a good corporate citizen.

Wrong.

If you want to be a better employee, take a real vacation. Make sure everyone in the office knows you do not have cell coverage, you will not have access to email, and who to contact in your absence.

Take a real vacation.

Happier people make better employees.

Fact.

So, am I going walk the walk?

You bet I am.

In June, I am headed to the email-free, business call-free beach with my wonderful family. No work and all play.

Smart.