Take Your Vacation. Obama Does.

Comment

Comment by Brett de Boisserre on August 28, 2011 at 10:25am

We have contingency plans for technology failures. The business of incarceration and rehabilitation will go on whether or not the local government's network is down, however. That is a great point. The business will go on.

Comment by James E. Evans, MISM, CSM on August 28, 2011 at 10:08am

@Susan

Yes I can relate (Re: terrible feeling). Keep in mind the businesses have developed a "strictly business nothing personal" approach now. If something unforeseen should happen (you could not work); the business would continue. I can guarantee you that. More than likely they would;

• Bump somebody else up into your position
• Divvy your job up among the remaining staff until someone is trained.
• Hire someone to cover your responsibilities
• Responsible management may need to do your job until they can get someone ramped up.

The takeaway is; the business will continue.

It's important that you manage your own business as well. That business is the one called Susan Womack. I'm glad that you took the week off.

I look forward to hearing that you took another one in the future!! Keep me posted. Best regards - James.

Comment by Susan Womack on August 28, 2011 at 1:05am

No, they did not call, however I felt uncomfortable when I went back. Working in security I don't think you can stay on top of things and take time off. It's a terrible feeling to know you could really miss something important, you know?

Comment by Brett de Boisserre on August 27, 2011 at 8:27pm

@Susan

A two week vacation in my job wouldn't fly either!  In that case, the "crackberry" would be hanging off of my shirt collar.  I couldn't handle 2 weeks of email, especially working in IT.  Maybe 5 days off, 1 telework day, then 5 more days off :)  Aircards work great on the beach!  Just cover your laptop with Saran Wrap and poke holes into laptop's fan location...

Comment by James E. Evans, MISM, CSM on August 27, 2011 at 7:21pm

@Susan

How did you feel after taking the week off? Did the business call while you were off? Just curious....

Comment by Susan Womack on August 27, 2011 at 7:04pm

I have done the same thing.been here three years and never thought about putting in for a vacation. I finally did this year, I put in for two weeks. I was so worried something would happen I dropped it down to one week. As if that's not enough, before I took off, I told them I wasn't going anywhere so if they needed me just call. I wish I could have taken off and visited my family. Obama my have taken a vacation but he doesn't have to worry about someone replacing him while he's gone. I agree this is a wonderful way to recharge and/or prevent a burnout, but I know I make more money when I work than I do on vacation, and if I'm working I know my job will be there tomorrow.

Comment by James E. Evans, MISM, CSM on August 27, 2011 at 2:21pm

@Said

No Blackberry withdrawal symptoms? I think I can do that :). I really like reading about the increased trust in your co-worker. That is a win-win. Best Regards - James.

Comment by Brett de Boisserre on August 27, 2011 at 10:20am

For the first time in 6 years I turned off my (work) Blackberry during a week off at the beach. I let my backup take the responsibility and trusted them. It was the greatest thing in a long time to not hear that device vibrating and then feeling that I needed to check it. I think that I gained additional trust from my coworker who filled in as well.

A win-win.

Comment by Melissa McKinley on August 26, 2011 at 5:09pm

Never.  Work time is work time, family time is family time.  I know there are countless employees in Government who have vacation "overages" - I supervise some of these people and we have to goad them into taking their vacation because it considered a liability.  I just say "take your vacation, life is short."  Unless you are on the verge of curing cancer or something, there is nothing so pressing at work that it won't still be there when you get back.... honest.

Comment by Shannon Donelson on August 26, 2011 at 4:42pm

I've found that I like taking just a few days away.  That way I feel refreshed, but not bogged down with catch-up work when I get back.  I tend to make my vacations into long weekends.  Fly out on a Thursday night to your destination, take Friday and a Monday and you have just given yourself a 4 day break.

 

But I will agree, so many people get a bunch of days off, but don't feel as if they can use them! I have a friend that took her first vacation in two years at the same company.  That is INSANE.

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page