A new survey by the Institute of Management shows that managers increasingly take their work with them on holiday.
Modern technology and communications means that it is even easier for the manager to 'stay in touch' even when they are on paid leave with permission to be away from the office.
Two years ago, 10% of managers took a laptop on holiday with them; today that figure has doubled. And 60% of managers take a mobile phone with them compared to just 25% two years ago.
Of course, the mobile phone can also be used for emergency purposes and to contact friends and relatives back home whilst you soak up the sun at the seaside. But it would interesting to know just how many managers used their phones to contact their office - or were called from the office with some query which "just couldn't wait". With the proliferation of internet access points in most holiday destinations, it seems unnecessary to pack a laptop just to send holiday messages, so how many managers actually did any serious work whilst on holiday.
The growth of 'presenteeism' in offices has been noted in the past as staff extend their working hours - real or perceived - in an effort to demonstrate their worth and commitment. This new trend towards proving your loyalty sets a dangerous precedent for stress-building, and 'commitment-competition' which is unlikely to be in the interests of either the manager or the company.
