Work-Life Balance and Availability During Summer Vacations
Calls from superiors, messages from your team, or emails from business partners – seven out of ten employees (71%) can be reached professionally while on vacation this summer. Only a quarter (27%) prefer not to be disturbed by official requests during their holidays. This is the result of a representative survey conducted among over 1,000 people in Germany aged 16 and above.
Employee Availability During Summer Holidays
Among those who are planning a summer vacation, seven out of ten workers (70%) are reachable via SMS or messaging apps like Messenger. Two out of three (64%) are willing to take calls, while a good quarter (27%) read and reply to emails and even participate in video conferences via platforms like Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime. Around a sixth (16%) can be reached through collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams or Slack.
The Reason Behind Being Available on Vacation
The main reason for this high level of availability is the expectations of the professional environment. Two out of three employees (63%) make themselves available during their summer holidays because they feel their colleagues expect it. Half of the respondents (50%) believe their superiors expect them to be reachable. Only 15% would prefer not to be disturbed at all.
The Impact of Availability on Work-Life Balance
Despite the increased availability, the majority of employees who can be reached during their summer vacation still believe they can easily disconnect from work (86%). However, one in two workers (49%) feel pressured to always be accessible during their holidays. A full third (36%) express concern about missing out on important matters if they cannot be reached constantly during their time off.
The Importance of Uninterrupted Holidays
“Mobile and flexible working is now a part of everyday life for many individuals. As work and private life increasingly merge, it becomes even more crucial to take time off and enjoy uninterrupted summer holidays,” says Bitkom CEO Dr. Bernhard Rohleder. “Employers must establish substitute solutions so employees can truly relax during their holidays. Holidays should only be interrupted in the event of an extreme emergency.”
This requires clear rules and transparent guidance on the company’s expectations and the role of employees. Only by setting clear boundaries can employees ensure they can disconnect fully during their well-deserved time off.