You are on a long awaited and much needed vacation, and your blackberry beeps; another email from a client with a question or better yet a new order. Do you respond to the message even though your out of office alert is on directing them to someone else in your absence or do you step away from your family gathered at the beach to make a call?
Studies show that more and more employees are bringing work home with them and handling business issues while on vacation. This is having tremendous effect on the family dynamic and putting unnecessary strain on relationships. These types of interruptions are taking away from the much needed rest and relaxation people yearn for. The constant disruptions prevent you from ever developing that feeling of being refreshed and rejuvenated upon your return to work. Instead your workload has doubled and the stress of having to play catch up keeps you on edge even immediately after taking time off. Vacation? What is that?
To truly enjoy your vacation there are a few things you can do in preparation for your time off.
Cross train someone to step into your place whether it is a temporary employee accessed via a recruitment firm or a co worker from another department. Take the time to ensure they are up to speed and you are confident they can handle what is thrown at them in your place.
Advise your clients that you deal with on a regular basis that you will be away and whom they can contact in your absence. This will bring your customers peace of mind knowing that they will be taken care of even if you are not there.
Be sure to turn on your out of office alert in your email, and change your voicemail to reflect your absence. The last thing you want it for a customer to say he/she has been trying to get a hold of you but you are not returning his/her calls. That just might make them pick up the phone and call your competition.
Finally sit back, relax and enjoy….
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