5 ms·

It seems pretty simple. I do not check work email when I'm not at work.

erokar 9y ago
Exactly, same as me. It's a very effective way of setting boundaries, and if my employer has a problem with it I know the place is not for me.
pikzen 9y ago
Unfortunately, when a manager is pressuring you to do so, not all of us have the fortitude to straight up say no. EDIT: to be clear, I do not count myself amongst those unable to say no. But for those who can't, thankfully we have society behind to help.
- noir_lord 9y ago
  I didn't once when I was young, now knowing when to say 'no' and when to really make it stick is a highly valuable lesson taught over years. In fact if I could go back 15 years and give 22yo old me one lesson it would be learning to say no.
  - pikzen 9y ago
    It is an immensely valuable skill to have, that is usually not learned early.
weka 9y ago
Lucky you. My work requires I check my work email every single day. Even if I'm on vacation.
- zeroer 9y ago
  Huh. That's an interesting definition of "vacation".
- ams6110 9y ago
  I assume you're in tech? Consider finding another job. There is too much demand for smart people in this field than to suffer this kind of treatment. Or maybe your salary makes up for it? My salary is probably low compared to what a lot of tech workers make, but among other intangible benefits, I don't work nights or weekends and vacations are really vacations.
- Kenji 9y ago
  I hope you get good compensation for this. I'd feel a constant low-key stress and couldn't switch off if I was in your shoes. For such requirements from my employer, I'd demand 50-100% more money than I make now.
- jyrkesh 9y ago
  Sorry if this is a little blunt, but why do you stay? That sounds horrible. Unless there's other major benefits to the job, I'd be looking around for new work as soon as I heard that I'd be required to check mail on vacation.
  - wand3r 9y ago
    This isn't a criticism of specifically you per se; and I'm not the parent post. > why don't you leave? I think there are 2 main answers that cover most people: - Difficulty transitioning to new job; e.g. can't afford to leave, actively trying to leave, aren't in a competitive position. As someone who is broke and actively trying to skill up; often frustrated when people with better skills, resources or opportunities imply that it's easy and critically that even if you ARE leaving it's a process not simply a decision. - People love their job; don't like this aspect. Couple mates work at SpaceX; they are constantly dealing with email and work overflow. They complain about it-- totally fair IMO; but ultimately they enjoy the work to much to leave.
    - thesuitonym 9y ago
      >As someone who is broke and actively trying to skill up; often frustrated when people with better skills, resources or opportunities imply that it's easy and critically that even if you ARE leaving it's a process not simply a decision. When you have a job that pays well, it's actually very easy to find a new job, because even if you hate where you're currently at, you have the benefit of time. Nobody is implying that the parent comment should just strap on their job helmet and squeeze down into a job cannon and fire off into job land. But if you're able to sit for a year watching job boards, contacting recruiters, etc, you will eventually find something.
- run4yourlives2 9y ago
  I'm pretty sure it violates multiple laws in various jurisdictions to be on 'vacation' while not being on vacation.
HarryHirsch 9y ago
Good for you that you have that leverage.

Exactly, same as me. It's a very effective way of setting boundaries, and if my employer has a problem with it I know the place is not for me.

pikzen 9y ago

Unfortunately, when a manager is pressuring you to do so, not all of us have the fortitude to straight up say no. EDIT: to be clear, I do not count myself amongst those unable to say no. But for those who can't, thankfully we have society behind to help.

noir_lord 9y ago
I didn't once when I was young, now knowing when to say 'no' and when to really make it stick is a highly valuable lesson taught over years. In fact if I could go back 15 years and give 22yo old me one lesson it would be learning to say no.
- pikzen 9y ago
  It is an immensely valuable skill to have, that is usually not learned early.

weka 9y ago

Lucky you. My work requires I check my work email every single day. Even if I'm on vacation.

zeroer 9y ago
Huh. That's an interesting definition of "vacation".
ams6110 9y ago
I assume you're in tech? Consider finding another job. There is too much demand for smart people in this field than to suffer this kind of treatment. Or maybe your salary makes up for it? My salary is probably low compared to what a lot of tech workers make, but among other intangible benefits, I don't work nights or weekends and vacations are really vacations.
Kenji 9y ago
I hope you get good compensation for this. I'd feel a constant low-key stress and couldn't switch off if I was in your shoes. For such requirements from my employer, I'd demand 50-100% more money than I make now.
jyrkesh 9y ago
Sorry if this is a little blunt, but why do you stay? That sounds horrible. Unless there's other major benefits to the job, I'd be looking around for new work as soon as I heard that I'd be required to check mail on vacation.
- wand3r 9y ago
  This isn't a criticism of specifically you per se; and I'm not the parent post. > why don't you leave? I think there are 2 main answers that cover most people: - Difficulty transitioning to new job; e.g. can't afford to leave, actively trying to leave, aren't in a competitive position. As someone who is broke and actively trying to skill up; often frustrated when people with better skills, resources or opportunities imply that it's easy and critically that even if you ARE leaving it's a process not simply a decision. - People love their job; don't like this aspect. Couple mates work at SpaceX; they are constantly dealing with email and work overflow. They complain about it-- totally fair IMO; but ultimately they enjoy the work to much to leave.
  - thesuitonym 9y ago
    >As someone who is broke and actively trying to skill up; often frustrated when people with better skills, resources or opportunities imply that it's easy and critically that even if you ARE leaving it's a process not simply a decision. When you have a job that pays well, it's actually very easy to find a new job, because even if you hate where you're currently at, you have the benefit of time. Nobody is implying that the parent comment should just strap on their job helmet and squeeze down into a job cannon and fire off into job land. But if you're able to sit for a year watching job boards, contacting recruiters, etc, you will eventually find something.
run4yourlives2 9y ago
I'm pretty sure it violates multiple laws in various jurisdictions to be on 'vacation' while not being on vacation.

HarryHirsch 9y ago

Good for you that you have that leverage.