How to Fully Disconnect From Work on Vacation
By Asia Johnson, Express Employment Professionals, The Express Blog, November 2024
As the end of the year nears, many people take time off from work to visit family for the holidays and to use paid time off that can’t roll over into the next year. If you haven’t practiced work-life balance, unplugging from work for the holidays can be a great way to end the year.
A recent Linkedin survey revealed that U.S. employees at the director level and above are more inclined to manage work duties during their vacations compared to their junior colleagues. Just over half of individual contributors (54%) say they do keep in touch with their colleagues while on vacation, compared to 70% of managers and 77% of senior leaders at the director level and higher.
No matter your position, here are some useful strategies to help you take time off effectively and with foresight.
Work Ahead
Try to work as far ahead as possible before you leave to ease your boss’s worries and reduce the chances of being contacted during your vacation. Complete any tasks due the week of or even the week after your break before you leave. Even if you don’t work in a deadline-driven environment, there are still duties you can handle in advance. Additionally, set aside a day to catch up on any work that comes in while you’re away.
Vacation Accountability Partner
Consider having a vacation accountability partner. This dependable teammate can remind you to take time off and resist the urge to check your email or the status of a project due when you return. You could also serve as someone else’s accountability partner while they’re away.
Set Out-of-Office Emails
Out-of-office emails might be everyone’s favorite to send. If you’re going on vacation or will be out of the office for a while, set up an automatic reply email to send while you’re gone. Include your return date and who to contact if a colleague or customer needs assistance. Out of the office means just that, so turn off those notifications and relax. It might also be helpful to disconnect from social media during your vacation.
Treat Your Vacation With Respect
Don’t feel guilty for taking time away from work to unwind. Everyone needs a little relaxation from time to time. Consider your time off as an investment in your well-being. With a bit of planning, you’ll ensure your time away from work is truly a vacation. Being flexible about when, where, and how long you’re away will open the door for you to try new things and give you the break you crave.
About Asia Johnson: Asia is an award-winning Content Marketing Specialist for Express Employment International, covering a variety of career topics for job seekers and associate audiences. She’s also a self-published author and former TV journalist. When she’s not creating content, you can catch her working out to 90s music, watching documentaries, and trying out the latest food around town.
