FOR Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.
24/7 Global Economy Demands...
TO SECURE JOB, STAY CONNECTED ON VACATION
Do you want to really enjoy your summer vacation? Then keep your cell phone handy and stay on top of those e-mails.
In a fiercely competitive global economy, where downsizing is a fact of life, no one can afford being completely out of touch for an extended period, advises workplace authority John A. Challenger, chief executive officer of international outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.
"Customers no longer expect you to be unavailable in this service-dominated, high-tech world filled with lightweight laptops, personal digital assistants, and cell phones with e-mail and Internet access," said Challenger.
"It used to be that vacations meant hiding out from the office. The global economy has changed all of that. In this 24/7 environment, being out of sight could lead to being out of a job. Now, more than ever, it is critical that vacationing employees stay virtually visible while out of the office."
Challenger's advice: take your cell phone, laptop, pager, and hand-held electronic organizer wherever you vacation. Let people know they can reach you if necessary. And enjoy some peace of mind knowing you are not putting your work at risk by going away.
"Wish you were here," should not just be something you write on a post card; it is what your co-workers and superiors should be thinking when you are away. How important do you want to be at the office -- not missed or missed a lot while on vacation?" Challenger said.
"If you want to be missed a lot, do not disconnect. If you are a team manager, stay in touch with your team members. Make sure supervisors know your e-mail and cell phone number just in case you are needed," said Challenger.
As work-life balance grows in importance, some commentators deride what some call office-obsessed people who cannot shut off work even while vacationing. But the same office-obsessed worker is recognized by the employer as someone who puts the needs of the company first and therefore will likely survive any workforce reductions, Challenger added.
"People who are needed and who consistently respond to those needs are far down the list of candidates for downsizing. Even if your supervisor never calls you, the fact that you made it clear that the office is a top priority will be remembered," said Challenger.
"The advice of wellness experts who urge workers to cut off all contact with the office while on vacation would be fine in a Utopian world," Challenger said. "But we live in the fiercely competitive real world, where employers are not going to be very understanding if a piece of business is lost because you are purposely unreachable.
"Technology has become so portable and so affordable that there really is no excuse anymore for not staying in touch. And innovations like the electronic organizer and lightweight cell phone make it possible to stay connected without being obtrusive.
"It is very possible to have an enjoyable, relaxing vacation and still maintain communications with the employer and/or customers," said Challenger.
Challenger offered the following advice on ways vacationing workers can ensure the highest level of virtual visibility.
* Arrange with your hotel to have a fax machine installed in your room. Chain hotels favored by business guests already have done so.
- If traveling internationally, check with the hotel or car rental agency about leasing a cell phone capable of receiving/making international calls.
- Do not change your voicemail to say you are on vacation and unavailable. Customers may respond by seeking out a new source where someone is available.
- Check voicemails throughout the day.
- Check e-mails regularly and respond or arrange for someone at the office to respond.
- Provide cell phone number, hotel phone number and/or e-mail to your supervisor so they can reach you.
- Turn off your office computer so that you can download new e-mail messages on your laptop. (If e-mails are sitting on your office computer, you have no way to access them.) Make sure your laptop is equipped to pick up your emails on the road.
- Make sure you have synched up your PDA so that your calendar, Rolodex, e-mail history, and to-do list are current.
- Ask Tech Support to set up your laptop to send and receive faxes automatically.
- Bring an extra battery for the cell phone and the laptop, and don't forget your chargers. Having your laptop go out on a flight longer than two hours, or your cell phone go out in the middle of a conversation, makes it difficult to get your work done during the 'to and fro' times when you couldn't be out playing golf or visiting the nearest tourist attraction.
- You may be on the cell phone much more often than you are at your office. Bring your cellphone headset.
- For entertainment, bring your favorite CDs and DVDs.
- Get plenty of rest and have fun!