This year was the first time since I bought my first Blackberry that I can remember setting an ‘out of office’ message to announce my departure on 2 weeks’ annual leave. What’s more, I feel that admitting this fact is the last step in a healing process that has taken more than a decade.
When smartphones first began to emerge in the UK, a lot of the marketing revolved around instant access to email and the ability to stay in touch whilst being away from the office. I was running my own IT support company at the time and many of our customers welcomed this idea with open arms in the hope of gaining a commercial advantage over their competitors. Of course, most of us bought into it eventually, making ourselves available to clients at all hours of the day and night and right through our lunch breaks.
These days, mobile communications are just as important to my email marketing, web design and SEO clients, but I’ve see a change in attitudes towards the devices. I sense we’re now experiencing a backlash to this ‘always on call’ mentality and if we’re not then I’d like to start one with immediate effect.
Most of us Brits are impressed by the work life balance many of our European neighbours appear to have maintained in spite of roaming 3G connections. Along with the wine, cheese and sombreros, this mentality is one more souvenir we should be bringing back from our travels.
Yes, we all accept that remote access has been a real winner over the past ten years with the rise of the telecommuter and the virtual office. But whilst a Blackberry can help you remain productive between customer appointments on the weeks you’re working, it can also encroach horribly on your holiday during the weeks you’re not.
The customers that emailed me whilst I was away on holiday this year were immediately informed of my absence thanks to my out of office message. I replied to them all anyway within a day or two but, without exception, I was advised by return that the matter could wait.
Maybe next year, I’ll muster the courage to leave my phone at home. (Shudders at the thought…)
