Katie Walley-Weigert’s 15th wedding anniversary trip was meant to be a joyful family beach vacation, yet it became a source of regret. An unexpected work assignment compelled her to bring her computer along, transforming precious moments with her young son into distractions filled with impending deadlines. As she toiled on the podcast interview for an executive client, she longed to share in her son’s first encounter with the ocean—an experience that would never come around again. Walley-Weigert’s feelings reflect a broader struggle faced by many professionals: the difficulty in balancing work and family time, particularly during vacations when the allure of disconnecting often clashes with job responsibilities.
In this digital age, the boundaries between work and personal time are increasingly blurred. With laptops and smartphones readily available, the temptation to log in and respond to work matters while on vacation is strong. Marais Bester, an occupational psychologist, emphasizes that the expectation to stay connected can be overwhelming. This constant accessibility fosters a culture where responding to work communications becomes almost obligatory, even in relaxed settings like a poolside or a beach. This expectation can lead to a scenario where individuals may prioritize work over significant family experiences, resulting in an ongoing inner conflict during their time off.
The compulsion to work while on vacation is so prevalent that some individuals resort to feigning illness to avoid group activities and focus on work tasks instead. Amy Biedenstein from Dayforce highlights growing pressure within families to keep work at bay, creating a need for individuals to hide their work commitments—demonstrating a profound challenge in establishing boundaries. As summer vacation season unfolds in the Northern Hemisphere, experts provide practical strategies for mitigating this issue, emphasizing the importance of proactive planning and communication about time away from work.
Preparing for a vacation can dictate the level of detachment one can achieve while away. Experts like Alexis Haselberger advise early planning, such as notifying coworkers of vacation dates well in advance and managing workload a week prior. This foresight can reduce the frantic last-minute rush of assignments and increase the likelihood of a genuinely off-grid experience. Automatic replies and scheduled check-ins can further establish barriers, allowing for a more work-free getaway. Biedenstein’s experience illustrates the necessity of carving out family time, as she shifted her work efforts to the early morning hours to secure dedicated moments with her loved ones throughout the day.
Some individuals take more drastic measures to ensure disconnection. For example, Amanda Olsen turns off notifications and even ventures to locations without phone reception during outdoor adventures, prioritizing a thorough escape from work obligations. Contrarily, some find the challenge of leaving work devices behind daunting, opting instead to establish designated times to check messages. Setting a clear boundary, even intermittently, helps re-create the focus on vacation rather than work, permitting individuals to fully engage with family activities and the joys of their surroundings.
The role of leadership is critical in shaping workplace culture around time off. When leaders exemplify a commitment to disconnecting during vacations, it sends a powerful message to employees that doing so is not only acceptable but encouraged. Bester elucidates that organizations should adopt structured plans for managing projects during employee absences, fostering a supportive environment. Additionally, companies can enhance employees’ ability to take breaks by providing resources such as corporate discounts on travel, alleviating financial concerns. Ultimately, taking a deliberate break offers numerous psychological benefits, affirming the importance of stepping away from work to recharge and prioritize personal fulfillment and family connections. After her anniversary experience, Walley-Weigert plans to revisit the beach, this time under her own terms as a freelancer with explicitly set boundaries for her time off.
