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I have this privilege also, but I find that it's kind of a double edged sword. I can take "vacations" whenever I want, but I can't completely escape work when

I have this privilege also, but I find that it's kind of a double edged sword. I can take "vacations" whenever I want, but I can't completely escape work when I do. I've had teammates do things like request a push to prod over vacation, while not mentioning that the prod database had also undergone a pretty large schema change (with no documentation!), then basically beg me to fix it because performance reviews were coming up in a few days.

ferzul 7y ago
How about if you're international? If there's a serious problem at work (and the bus number is one) I can't fix it because (a) it isn't legal to work while on leave (b) I'm overseas and it isn't legal to work on my visa. So if something goes won't, they're stuffed. at least that's they're fault.
- ghaff 7y ago
  At least for Americans, (a) is presumably very uncommon and (b) is never really a problem in my experience. Even if you're on a tourist visa, answering a work email or phone call isn't an issue. (Attending a conference or setting up in a co-work space for a few days may be, depending on the country, of course.)
ghaff 7y ago
It's admittedly less common than it used to be but sometimes you're vacationing somewhere that just doesn't have connectivity. Even leaving aside being off in the Himalayas or wherever, even a lot of areas in the western US like Death Valley have pretty limited coverage. And, if I'm backpacking, even if I have a cell signal there's not much I can do if it's not something I can fix with a few words based on what's in my brain. To the broader point though. I do find being mostly connected is largely a plus. It's easier to take time off when I know that I can do a bit of flexible work and can be reached when needed rather than being tethered to a network just in case. I have worked both ways over my career and I much prefer today.
glitchcrab 7y ago
Then that is an issue with the company culture, processes and staffing. Holiday is holiday - I've never worked anywhere which would expect me to remain contactable whilst on holiday.
- ghaff 7y ago
  Yep. I will sometimes, when on vacation, help out on something if there's an issue I can help with quickly. I figure it balances the time when I'm theoretically working but am mostly doing other stuff. But if I'm formally on vacation, there should be no expectation that I will pickup the phone or answer an email.
yulaow 7y ago
When I am on vacation my work phone is off and so I have no way to be contacted or to read work emails. My team know they have to manage things by themselves and when they are on vacation I know I can't contact them. For me it is not a vacation if I must be reacheble all the time.

ferzul 7y ago

How about if you're international? If there's a serious problem at work (and the bus number is one) I can't fix it because (a) it isn't legal to work while on leave (b) I'm overseas and it isn't legal to work on my visa. So if something goes won't, they're stuffed. at least that's they're fault.

ghaff 7y ago
At least for Americans, (a) is presumably very uncommon and (b) is never really a problem in my experience. Even if you're on a tourist visa, answering a work email or phone call isn't an issue. (Attending a conference or setting up in a co-work space for a few days may be, depending on the country, of course.)

ghaff 7y ago

It's admittedly less common than it used to be but sometimes you're vacationing somewhere that just doesn't have connectivity. Even leaving aside being off in the Himalayas or wherever, even a lot of areas in the western US like Death Valley have pretty limited coverage. And, if I'm backpacking, even if I have a cell signal there's not much I can do if it's not something I can fix with a few words based on what's in my brain. To the broader point though. I do find being mostly connected is largely a plus. It's easier to take time off when I know that I can do a bit of flexible work and can be reached when needed rather than being tethered to a network just in case. I have worked both ways over my career and I much prefer today.

glitchcrab 7y ago

Then that is an issue with the company culture, processes and staffing. Holiday is holiday - I've never worked anywhere which would expect me to remain contactable whilst on holiday.

ghaff 7y ago
Yep. I will sometimes, when on vacation, help out on something if there's an issue I can help with quickly. I figure it balances the time when I'm theoretically working but am mostly doing other stuff. But if I'm formally on vacation, there should be no expectation that I will pickup the phone or answer an email.

yulaow 7y ago

When I am on vacation my work phone is off and so I have no way to be contacted or to read work emails. My team know they have to manage things by themselves and when they are on vacation I know I can't contact them. For me it is not a vacation if I must be reacheble all the time.