How To Have A Vacation Not Workation

The term 'workation' is a relatively recent entry in to the everyday vocabulary. It is a play on the term staycation. But where staycation brings thoughts of family fun, relaxation and nostalgia, the term workation can be synonymous with stress and a holiday marred by self-imposed office interruptions. In America, 54% of respondents to a survey said they would check work emails once or twice a week on holiday, with 15% checking them daily. Yet is this necessary, and if so can it be managed so you are still able to enjoy your holiday?

The Need to be Connected

Many employees in the work place now will never have known the notion of not being permanently connected. Mobile technology is ever present, therefore the habit of constantly checking for messages needs to be acknowledged. In terms of the idea of a workation, it is largely emails that are being checked. There is a concern of missing out, of being out of the loop and disappointing people who are not aware of the holiday. Employees want to know what to expect on their return so they can hit the ground running.

Step Away From The Phone

For peace of mind, planning is the key to having a work-free break. Complete all scheduled work or delegate anything that is not finished to a colleague. Alert peers and clients of the holiday and place a date specific out of office message to inform those who forget or don't know. Try to be disciplined and resist the urge to check work emails or at least set a specific time only at which you may check them. Holidays are vital to refresh the body and mind, they ought to be enjoyed. A few simple measures can help keep the holiday versus work balance in check.