Annual leave is meant for us to rest, recharge and attend to our personal lives. Bukannya to continue working from a different location.
But does that mean we should ignore every work call or message?
Well, it depends.
As employees, we have a responsibility to plan for our absence, hand over outstanding work and communicate clearly before going on leave.
But what if there’s nobody to hand over to?
Then it’s management’s responsibility to decide how the work will be covered, what can wait and what genuinely requires attention.
Of course, certain roles may require us to be contactable during emergencies. But these expectations should be communicated and agreed upon, not assumed.
And bosses, please understand that being responsible for our work doesn’t mean we must be available 24/7.
If everything is an emergency, then nothing is an emergency.
Ultimately, employees should be responsible enough to prepare for their absence, and employers should also be prepared enough to manage without them.
Yes, taking leave shouldn’t mean abandoning our responsibilities. But neither should it mean abandoning our right to rest.
xoxoxo, AuntyHR
