Tired of working vacations?
Me too. Actually, I just got back from one where I didn’t bring my laptop and it was fantastic. Without my laptop, I “didn’t get that email” and “no, I can’t look that up right now.” My Dad took working vacations and it made my Mom pull her hair out. I never want to feel obligated to do so and neither should you. This article on CNN actually talks about some really great techniques to use:
1. Leave a roadmap.
A few weeks before you leave, start recording important information, key contacts and any deadlines that will come up while you are gone. If you leave co-workers with a guide that will help them address questions that arise and keep things moving forward, they will be less likely to contact you on vacation and you will be less likely to walk into a war zone when you return.
2. Stick to an itinerary.
While it’s best to leave the office at the office, if you must do work, set limits and boundaries for yourself and your co-workers. Don’t let activities on vacation be interrupted by work.
Instead set aside a half hour each day to think about work and stick to it. Instead of having co-workers call you, tell them when you are going to check in, so you can control the time allotted.
3. Think big.
If you have a big project and a great vacation planned for the same week, you can expect one of the two to give. Schedule the dates before and after the big stuff to lighten your load and enjoy your time off.
4. What if you’re the boss?
If you’re working for yourself, make sure you anticipate your busy seasons by reviewing your previous sales and current situation. Save vacation time for slower periods and make sure to notify customers in advance.
The first piece of advice is actually the best one for me. Leave your co-workers contact information for sources of information you usually utilize. If you are on vacation and people know how to take care of themselves, not only will they feel less inconvenienced by your absence but you will be bothered much less.
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Your HR Guy is a Human Resources Generalist practicing in the field. But don't let that fool you, this isn't a boring blog. I seek relevance and humor in a place we will spend much of our lives. Everything from workplace issues, job seeking and terrible bosses. Read more...
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I recently completed a 10 day trip to Puerto Vallarta. My attack….leaving a voice mail message that stated the following:
1. I am not retrieving voice messages;
2. My cell phone will be inoperable; and
3. I am not reviewing email messages.
I further instructed my assistant to delegate all matters that she could not handle up to my boss. It worked!
In the meantime, each morning I witnessed a legion of laptop warriors frenetically retrieving email messages each morning from mega-sized laptops capable of proxying as a server for an ERP system. I felt sorry for them - and wondering how they were incapable of performing some time management jujitsu.
robert edward cenek, RODP
http://www.cenekreport.com
Uncommon Commentary on the World of Work
My strategy’s very similar to Edward’s:
* voicemail says that I’m out of the office and when I’ll be back
* email out of office reply informs when I’ll be back and mentions the team email address for urgent emergencies and emergent urgencies (actually it just says “for urgent matters”…)
* my boss knows that she can send me text messages and that I will read them at least every 2nd day
And most importantly, I make sure that all the relevant people know 1 week in advance that I’ll be on vacation soon. And I always mention (with a smile, because it isn’t true at all) that I’ll be somewhere very far away with no cell or Internet coverage.
And the best thing: when I come back there were no catastrophies and everybody managed somehow without me. This feels great because it means that the Churchill quote about cemeteries being filled with indispensable people doesn’t apply to me (meaning: I’m not ready to die and will be able to enjoy many more vacations).
Etieinne