Percent of working people are reachable by their boss while on vacation
Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2025 3:21 am
Contact with the job mainly via text message and telephone
One in four people check their work emails while travelling
Many working people in Germany do not separate their private life from their job, even when on vacation: 70 percent of those who traveled in the summer of 2019 were reachable for work purposes during this time. This was the result of a representative survey commissioned by the digital association Bitkom among 1,003 German citizens aged 16 and over.
This proportion has increased slightly compared to the previous year: in 2018, asia gambling data 64 percent were still available for work while on vacation . 65 percent of respondents said they were available to their employer, colleagues or business partners via text messages such as WhatsApp, SMS or iMessage. 58 percent also answer the phone and more than one in four (26 percent) check their work emails while on vacation.
"Thanks to digital technologies, the world of work is undergoing a radical change: people can work when and where they want. The previously clear dividing line between work and private life, at least for dependent employees, is increasingly dissolving. Many employees enjoy flexible working hours and can also do private things from their workplace . And conversely, many employees are willing to be available for work even when on vacation," says Bitkom CEO Dr. Bernhard Rohleder. "However, it is important that free time can be used as undisturbed as possible for relaxation or for purely private activities. Companies should ensure that there are good and functioning replacement solutions and that colleagues on vacation are only disturbed in an absolute emergency."
Younger people in particular are consciously setting limits: 36 percent of 16- to 29-year-olds say they will not be reachable during their summer vacation this year. Among 30- to 49-year-olds, the figure is 25 percent, and among 50- to 64-year-olds, 29 percent.
"In most cases, there is no legal obligation to be available," emphasizes Rohleder. "However, the change in work culture is presenting companies with challenges. Many companies also no longer require their employees to apply for vacation well in advance. Vacation bans due to work-related matters are becoming the exception. Conversely, this can mean that someone keeps an eye on an ongoing project even while on vacation, especially in small companies. It is important that managers make agreements with their employees about availability that best suit the individual situation."
One in four people check their work emails while travelling
Many working people in Germany do not separate their private life from their job, even when on vacation: 70 percent of those who traveled in the summer of 2019 were reachable for work purposes during this time. This was the result of a representative survey commissioned by the digital association Bitkom among 1,003 German citizens aged 16 and over.
This proportion has increased slightly compared to the previous year: in 2018, asia gambling data 64 percent were still available for work while on vacation . 65 percent of respondents said they were available to their employer, colleagues or business partners via text messages such as WhatsApp, SMS or iMessage. 58 percent also answer the phone and more than one in four (26 percent) check their work emails while on vacation.
"Thanks to digital technologies, the world of work is undergoing a radical change: people can work when and where they want. The previously clear dividing line between work and private life, at least for dependent employees, is increasingly dissolving. Many employees enjoy flexible working hours and can also do private things from their workplace . And conversely, many employees are willing to be available for work even when on vacation," says Bitkom CEO Dr. Bernhard Rohleder. "However, it is important that free time can be used as undisturbed as possible for relaxation or for purely private activities. Companies should ensure that there are good and functioning replacement solutions and that colleagues on vacation are only disturbed in an absolute emergency."
Younger people in particular are consciously setting limits: 36 percent of 16- to 29-year-olds say they will not be reachable during their summer vacation this year. Among 30- to 49-year-olds, the figure is 25 percent, and among 50- to 64-year-olds, 29 percent.
"In most cases, there is no legal obligation to be available," emphasizes Rohleder. "However, the change in work culture is presenting companies with challenges. Many companies also no longer require their employees to apply for vacation well in advance. Vacation bans due to work-related matters are becoming the exception. Conversely, this can mean that someone keeps an eye on an ongoing project even while on vacation, especially in small companies. It is important that managers make agreements with their employees about availability that best suit the individual situation."