🎒 Microlesson

🪞 Reflect

How often do you get on your work computer on your days off?

💡 Concept

According to Buffer’s State of Remote Work report, a top struggle for remote workers is disconnecting from the job. With work as portable as your laptop, it can be all too tempting to check emails or complete tasks—even during downtime. 

Yet as hard as it is to leave work behind, you should make that a priority during your next vacation. 

Time off helps prevent burnout by providing a needed rest and offering an opportunity to set and hold a healthy boundary between work and home. Since vacations are predominantly for relaxing, rejuvenating, and spending time with family and friends, make sure to fully immerse yourself in those meaningful moments and relationships.

Your work may be important, but it’s nowhere near as important as your health and well-being. During your next vacation, make sure you power down your laptop so you can recharge your own batteries.

🎬 Take Action

So how can you disconnect? 

• Set expectations. Let your team know when you will be taking time off, and share that you will be unavailable during that time. 

• Delegate responsibilities. As necessary, assign tasks and point-person responsibilities so work can continue smoothly while you are out. 

• Add reminders. Use whatever tools you have available to remind people you will be out during certain days. Add out of office (OOO) dates to your calendar, submit an official request following company policy, add notes to meetings, and add an OOO autoresponder to your email.  

• Mark the start of your vacation. Commemorate the start of your vacation with a favorite ritual or unexpected treat, like putting on an energetic song or going out with a friend. 

• Power down your computer. Completely turn off your computer. If you have a laptop, consider closing it or putting it in a drawer so it’s out of sight. 

• Resist the pull of the smartphone. If you have work-related apps on your phone, consider deleting them temporarily or making a pact to not open them during your days off.

🎁 Happy Holidays!

Happy holidays from the Workplaceless team! Wishing you a wonderful holiday and a happy start to 2024!

*Please note there will be no microlesson on Tuesday, December 26 

✅ Check In

🧠 Keep Learning

Learn more about designing a healthy remote work schedule in our Remote Work Certification course.

🎁 Learn with your team!

Refer our weekly microlessons to your team members to learn as a group! Just follow the instructions in the section below to get started.