Vacation (In)accessibility Tips Article

By now you’ve probably booked your annual summer vacation in the tropics. Come July, you’ll likely be lounging by the pool, catching a golden tan, and…looking for the nearest Wi-Fi hotspot? It’s safe to say that uninterrupted vacations are a thing of the past. However, if you don’t want to be bombarded on your rare time of leisure, here are some tips to get off the hook without leaving your boss high and dry.

In a new study by Intermedia, (conducted by research firm Harris Interactive) 71 percent of participants think it is appropriate to be contacted while on vacation or taking paid time off. Of that percentage, 32 percent said email is the best way to get in touch with them. This was followed by 20 percent who preferred to be contacted by phone, and then 18 percent who said they’d rather be sent a text.

A mere 10 years ago, these numbers would have looked drastically different. But with the surge in smartphones, tablets, and other highly portable, Internet-enabled devices, Americans seem to be carrying their work life in their back pockets. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average productivity per American worker has increased by 400 percent since 1950.

But should you feel guilty if you want to enjoy a week or two of fun in the sun uninterrupted? If you do, you’re not alone. Despite the variety of smartphones, tablets, and notebooks we use every day, 29 percent of participants said it is never acceptable to contact them during vacation. Of that group, 73 percent were over the age of 45.

It’s safe to say that uninterrupted vacations are a thing of the past. However, if you don’t want to be bombarded on your rare time of leisure, here are some tips to get off the hook without leaving your boss high and dry:

• Announce your vacation dates well in advance - Give notice of your planned PTO dates well in advance to get clearance of any important meetings or appointments. It’s helpful to send a friendly reminder a few weeks ahead, too.
• Cross your T’s - Make sure that any work you leave behind is taken care of or properly delegated before you set sail.
• Leave a cheat sheet for your substitute – If there is someone scheduled to fill in for you while you’re out (i.e. answer calls, facilitate a meeting) be sure to leave a cheat sheet for them detailing where files are saved, important numbers, and instructions. That way you can avoid unwanted emails, calls, or texts.
• Make sure your co-workers know you’ll be inaccessible – If you don’t want to be bothered, or are traveling to a remote location where you will not have phone or internet access, make sure to notify your colleagues before you take off. That way, there will be no surprises when they find that you’re out of reach.
• Let voicemail screen your calls – while you can’t always do this in the office, allow yourself to return only those calls that are truly important or possible emergencies.