Sun, sea, sand – and a steady stream of emails from colleagues. Should you put down your banana daiquiri and respond?
It’s a dilemma millions of workers grapple with when away on holiday, the out-of-office message sometimes proving a flimsy shield and correspondence for many arriving straight through to their mobile phones.
LinkedIn career expert Zara Easton understands the conundrum – and here offers some handy guidance on the do’s and don’ts of replying to work emails during those precious getaway days.
DO
Set clear expectations before you leave
Zara says: ‘Tell your team your holiday dates with plenty of notice, and if you plan to be completely offline, communicate that ahead of time so colleagues can prepare. If you will be available in an emergency, define what this would mean.’
Use your out-of-office message to set boundaries
Zara remarks: ‘A well-crafted OOO that details your return to work can manage expectations and reduce unnecessary follow-ups.’
Sun, sea, sand – and a steady stream of emails from colleagues. Should you put down your banana daiquiri and respond? It’s a dilemma millions of workers grapple with when away on holiday. LinkedIn career expert Zara Easton offers guidance on the do’s and don’ts of replying to work emails during those precious getaway days
LinkedIn career expert Zara Easton
Plan ahead
‘If you know something urgent might arise,’ says Zara, ‘delegate tasks in advance so your colleagues aren’t caught off guard. This will also give you the peace of mind that everything is in hand, and you can enjoy your break.’
DON’T
Feel obligated to check emails
Zara stresses: ‘If your time off is truly meant to be a break, checking in can undermine that. Unless there is a critical reason, avoid the temptation.’
Reply sporadically
Zara warns: ‘Dipping in and out of emails can create confusion and could potentially convey a lack of trust in your team. If you are checking in, make it purposeful and supportive – set a time limit and stick to it.’
Work in secret
Zara comments: ‘If you do respond to something urgent, do not make it a habit. If people see you engaging, they may assume you will be available for more.’
Hint that you’ll still be checking emails
Zara says that there is a temptation for some to hint that they’ll still be checking emails. But she cautions: ‘If you say, “I’m away but will check in occasionally,” people may interpret that as “I’ll still reply if it’s important”. If you really need to disconnect, make that clear.
‘Boundaries are important – not just for your own wellbeing but also for fostering a workplace culture where time off is truly respected.
‘Once projects have been properly handed over, consider yourself on holiday and focus on things outside of work. It’s important for your mental health to take breaks and step away from your job – you’ll come back with a fresh perspective and renewed energy, so don’t feel guilty.’
Feel obligated to put your mobile number on your out-of-office message
Zara says: ‘You do not need to put your mobile number on an out-of-office message to show you are committed to your job. Make sure you speak to all your colleagues in advance and book handovers with relevant people before logging off.’
THE COMMON MISTAKES
Zara says: ‘You do not need to put your mobile number on an out-of-office message to show you are committed to your job’
Zara says: ‘One of the biggest mistakes is not setting boundaries in advance. If colleagues don’t know whether you’re completely offline or checking in occasionally, they may continue to message you, which can lead to stress and pressure.
‘Another mistake is semi-working, semi-resting – skimming emails but not properly addressing them can lead to unfinished tasks or miscommunication, making things more complicated for both you and your team when you return.’
CAN WORKERS LEGALLY REFUSE TO WORK WHILE AWAY?
Good news. In the UK, employees have the right to uninterrupted annual leave, notes Zara, who adds: ‘Unless your contract states otherwise, you’re not obliged to work while on holiday. However, some industries or roles have different expectations, so it’s always worth checking your company’s policy.’
IS IT REASONABLE TO ASK FOR A DAY IN LIEU IF YOU END UP WORKING WHILE AWAY?
If those banana daiquiris have been interrupted and you’ve had to spend a significant amount of time working during your leave, for reasons outside of your control (e.g. an urgent/time-sensitive request from a client), it is reasonable, says Zara, to have a conversation with your manager about clawing back some of the lost time.
She adds: ‘These types of discussions can be challenging, so I’d recommend taking a look at a LinkedIn Learning course, such as ‘Having Difficult Conversations‘, to make sure you are confident and communicating clearly.
‘Remember, some companies have formal policies on this, while others may offer [time in lieu] on a case-by-case basis. If working on holiday becomes a pattern you’re unhappy with, it’s worth raising the issue and finding ways to ensure future time off is truly protected.’