Taking Time Off If You Are Se

[Octopus]

Pretty much as the title says, what do you do with your mobile, landline and email when you have a long earned holiday?

I always divert our home phone to my mobile and let people leave messages, but it's always a temptation to call back! As for emails, I have my laptop on with outlook open and an "out of office set"

I can't ignore calls etc but need time to relax.

What do others do?

 

[Leesparkykent]

Hand the reigns over to one of my sparks whilst I'm away.

 

[dansk]

We use this https://www.moneypenny.com/uk/ when we want a day off, or holiday, then respond on our return.

 

[Andy78]

I adopt this approach

Except without the golf.

 

[GMES]

I'm a proper saddo and don't take holidays as such but if a long weekend is needed I simply leave the lads to keep things ticking over.
But I am guessing you are talking about lone rangers with no staff, in which case it's quite simple !! Leave the wife at home to answer calls etc while you go on a lads trip to Vegas , Amsterdam or Thailand.

 

[Andy78]

I don't actually do what I said above, but similar.
I am a "lone ranger" so when I'm away I generally do what I do on site when my hands are full. Express interest in the enquiry but ask the customer to send me a text usually with their address and the enquiry so I have a record of it and can get back to them.
My regular customers get looked after by a good mate of mine who I work closely with.
Emails get ignored more or less. Maybe check them after 4 days or something.

 

[amlu]

no landline, most previous customer numbers saved in my mobile, at least im know who is calling. dont pick up new numbers, send them a text template sometimes with date of my return. no roaming charges for receiving calls within the EU anyway.

 

[sythai]

Save my proper holidays until Xmas.... all our regular customers are warned well in advance, phone switched off and left at home along with iPad and any other email device for a good 2 weeks'ish. Only time of year can get away with it really. Do take the odd long weekend and normally take mobile but keep on silent. Not back to work until 16 Jan this time round, work my balls off all year so well deserved.

 

[Leesparkykent]

I'm away for two weeks in July for a holiday and wedding in Greece. I'm looking forward to it but dreading it at the same time being away from it all.

 

[Kate]

I make sure there's wifi where im going to check emails regularly. Phone gets diverted to my landline so that messages can be left. EE are robbing pigs and if you let your phone ring, and go to answerphone it costs £1.50. More if you answer, has to be an official divert within the settings.
Tell anyone I can in advance that I'm away, regular or new

 

[123]

I give advanced warning to my main customers (builders, kitchen companies, estate agents etc - have a friend who is a competitor also but we help each other out so he covers call outs), then when heading off change my voice mail and put out of office reply on my email. Work phone stays at home, don't check email when away. Have a nice holiday...then generally return to CARNAGE!

 

[PEG]

I have had the same mobile number 25 years,so,if i abscond from work,family can't get me...not happening...

No point worrying,no customer rings up to ask if THEY can go away...so i just do what i fancy.

It gives occasional mild amusement,when a panicking customer calls for immediate attention,reels off the problem,the build up and the way they see tackling it...then i tell them i'm in a boat on the Menai straits trying to kid a bass or two