Don’t pack the laptop!

According to a recent survey by Regus, nearly 40% of UK employees are trying to keep up with work in their holidays, spending an enormous 3 hours a day slogging away at their laptops and smartphones when they should be sunbathing and relaxing.

Instead of giving businesses a competitive advantage having such dedicated workforces, instead, it seems to us, this is storing up problems for the future…

Employees will come back resentful, as their holidays have been invaded by demands from the office, and without feeling rejuvenated and ready for work again, thus diminishing productivity and efficiency.

It’s all too easy to fall into this trap with the rise of mobile technology, but businesses should make employees aware that this isn’t an expectation.  They need to invest in software which will allow them to measure the cost of staff absence, and come up with a tactic that helps them to continue to run as efficiently as normal, reallocating work to other members of staff, and allowing those on leave to enjoy their time away.

Organisations can also help to reduce this phenomenon by allowing flexible working – maximising the use of mobile devices, but within the working day- for example allowing staff to work at home, thus giving them back the time they’d normally spend commuting, and generating the time they need to complete all tasks before they go on holiday.

Make sure you’re an adaptable business that listens and responds to staff, and you’ll reap the rewards.