Working It
Why working on holiday could make you worse at your job
Aug 20, 2024
Brigid Schulte, an author and journalist, teams up with freelance journalist Oliver Balch to unpack the pitfalls of working on vacation. They discuss how holiday work is not just a personal choice but a symptom of poor management practices. The conversation highlights the irony of overwork in cultures that glorify constant availability, and how some executives struggle to truly disconnect. They also reflect on global vacation policies, contrasting countries with robust time-off systems against those like the U.S., emphasizing the need for systemic change to promote better work-life balance.
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Quick takeaways
- Maintaining constant connectivity during holidays fosters a toxic work culture, leading to employee burnout and negatively impacting overall productivity.
- The pressure to remain available while on vacation undermines work-life balance, increasing health risks and perpetuating a detrimental cycle of overwork.
Deep dives
The Impact of Constant Connectivity on Executives
Executives today face immense pressure due to constant connectivity brought about by mobile devices and digital communication. This phenomenon has blurred the lines between work and personal time, making it difficult for leaders to fully disconnect while on holiday. Many executives reported a range of coping mechanisms, from extreme digital detox strategies to those who check work emails multiple times a day, revealing a spectrum of attitudes towards work-life balance. This constant connection often leads to burnout, undermining the productivity executives strive for, despite their awareness that taking time off could enhance their overall efficiency.
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