The Dos and Don’ts of Working Remotely While on Vacation

When you already work remotely, the idea of checking messages or doing a few company tasks while on vacation may sound like no big deal. But like all workers, telecommuters need quality time off to rejuvenate and attend to other areas of their lives. Remaining engaged in work matters disturbs that break mentally and physically.

Whether working remotely while on vacation is a choice or a must, here are some factors to consider:

DO evaluate the situation.

“Ask yourself why you’re working on vacation,” says Jennifer Folsom, chief of corporate development at Summit Consulting. “Is it because you’re worried your boss will think less of you? Or that you’re too important? No and no. People need vacations, and with proper planning and coverage you can and should completely unplug.”

DO take steps to limit interruptions.

Leave outgoing voice and email messages informing others when you’ll be back and who to contact during your absence. Wrap up as many loose ends as possible, and provide clear information on how to proceed if someone else is finishing up a project. Delegate a trusted colleague to make decisions while you’re gone. Take your work email off your phone while on vacation so you don’t have the Pavlovian response to a ding in the middle of a romantic dinner.

DON’T make all hours fair game if you do need to work.

Create a block of time that’s as unobtrusive as possible, and stick to it. “My teenagers now sleep till noon, so if I have to work I’ll set the alarm, watch the sun rise over the Bay with my coffee, and then work until they get up. When they’re up and we’re on family time, I completely log off,” Folsom says.

DO offer a contact number.

Offer a “just in case” contact number if it makes you and your boss feel better, but DON’T jot it down until everyone involved agrees to the circumstances that constitute an emergency.

DON’T simply grin and bear it if an unexpected situation disturbs your time off.

“Work with your manager to get some makeup comp time. Whether this is formal or informal, see if you can get some of that time back and use it for other family time, like taking the first day of school off,” Folsom says.

DO go off the grid.

Consider vacationing in a place with little to no Internet connection if you really are the type who can’t relax when it’s available!

Remember, vacation isn’t a privilege that you should feel guilty about taking. Rather, see it as a necessity that ensures you can keep performing well the rest of the year.

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