Franklin Friedmann – Secretary – Xplor Canada

What can realistically be said about technology that improves the quality of life? It seems as we may have gone on holiday, we are less likely to get away from the office at all. While at work, the modern cellphone through iPhone allows you to reach everyone, however they can get to you as well!

What kind of holiday can we then expect if we don’t leave the phone at home, probably the reason that some have a country home in areas that have no cell towers; sorry I can’t be reached until I come home.

What then is a lesser evil in controlling work during a holiday? I’ve usually taken my cell phone, turning it off during the day, having left a message that I would return the call the following (workday) morning, then phoning back before 9am so as not to disturb the family day’s activity. It works quite well except across time zones and the probability of telephone tag. To try to control the amount of work being distributed, suggest a response that gives details of what they might want, recognizing you have no “content” with you. Equally, when you leave a message for an absent colleague, include the content you need and suggest an approach that allows you to solve the request; then only ask for an approval.

Alternately, why take that holiday at all? The work ethic in North America is cited by National Public Radio (NPR) as “vacation shaming”. Kathleen Gerson, Professor of Sociology at NYU points out in the changing landscape people appear to need to prove they are doing a good job to ensure they keep it. The result is not going on holiday for some. In fact, people may be thinking about office problems even when on holiday, so going away may be even better.

Whatever you do, disconnect those electronic task masters and enjoy yourselves.