Q. In January of 2020, right before the Pandemic shut down much of the country, I started a new job. I was so excited, nearly giddy with professional happiness because I had landed the job I always dreamed of as a senior graphic designer for the top marketing agency in my city. The first year was great. While I worked from home most of the time, I could meet all my coworkers in person. Everyone, including my boss, worked together as a team during that time. Everyone was willing to do what needed to be done, so it was not unusual to receive and reply to emails and complete projects very early in the morning and late into the evening. I just assumed this was 'great teamwork during adverse times.’
Once I hit my one-year anniversary with the company, I put in for a vacation. My spouse and I planned a trip to an all-inclusive resort because we wanted to have a truly stress-free vacation and return home re-energized. The day before I left for this eagerly anticipated vacation, my boss emailed me asking that I please take my work laptop with me “in case” they needed something from me. I had gone to great lengths to get everything done before I left, including meeting with a coworker to give him an overview of pending projects. I was surprised at this request from my boss (also the owner), but I didn’t say anything. I threw the laptop in with my carry-on luggage, hoping my preparation before leaving would avoid anyone needing something from me that couldn’t wait.
Once at the resort, it didn’t take long for me to begin receiving text messages from my boss on my personal cell phone saying, “Why are you not answering my emails? Please check your email on your work laptop.”
I have since learned that it is ‘a given’ that all employees are expected to answer email and return calls from the boss (also the owner) on their vacations. There are only 15 employees (5 of which are family members), and the boss says that there are times that what is needed simply can't wait. I disagree, as nearly everything the boss wanted from me, I had already completed, or shared with my coworker, just for that reason.
And even though we have returned to work, using a hybrid approach of work from home and return to the office, our boss still expects us to be working from 6 am until 10 pm.
I love this job. Everything about it is wonderful except for these interruptions when on vacation and the expectations to answer emails from early morning until late at night. But I kinda resent not being able to ‘completely disconnect’ after work hours at home and when on a hard-earned vacation.
I am angry and exhausted.
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NBA Play #1:
Well in advance of vacation (3 weeks ahead or more), meet with your boss and say, “My family and I are looking forward to our upcoming vacation in 3 weeks. I would like to give my family, and myself, my undivided attention during our time together. What is it I can begin to do today, to prepare for my absence so that I will not have to address any work issues while gone?” And then stay completely silent. Zip it. Don’t say another word. With a pen and pad in hand, lean forward, poised, ready to take notes as to your boss’ response. Write it down and then repeat it back. “So what I hear you saying is,….” Once you have done everything you have heard, plus what you know will also help (passing off project details to a peer), recount it all in an email a few days before leaving. And in that email. Thank your boss for allowing you and your family to focus solely on family time.
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NBA Play #2:
Afterhours or when you’re sick and not necessarily on vacation, have a future-thinking conversation with your boss as well. Like the above NBA Play #1, this suggestion also teaches your boss ‘how to manage you.’ It is called ‘managing up.’ Ask to speak privately and say, “I would like to be able to focus 100% on my family when my work is done each day. I am noticing that I am splitting my time, when work is typically done, between continuing to answer emails and move forward with projects, well into the evening when I really should be devoting equal attention and time to my family. I have several ideas for solving this (and have those thought out beforehand), but wish to ask you for your input first…."
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NBA Play #3:
Get a different job. Yup, quit. If the boss still expects you to be available 24/7/365, even after having the above-recommended conversations, it is time to move on. Covid taught a lot of BossHoles that employees are reassessing their professional lives and that right-fit talent who love their work are the heartbeat of any organization’s success.
Let us know how it goes, and if any of these ‘NBA Plays’ was a winner!
Time for a CHANGE?
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