Taking Summer Vacation, Turn Off and Tune Out

Taking a summer vacation shouldn’t feel like a risk to your career—but for many, stepping away from work comes with guilt, anxiety, and a constant urge to check in. It’s time to reclaim your time off and truly tune out.

There are many studies that discuss how important disconnecting from the office is to our mental health and well being and when they do go on away they spend hours checking voicemail, email, and calling into the office.  Yet, a recent survey by Solitaired revealed that 47% of Americans left some PTO unused in 2024.

I saw this firsthand during a recent family visit. Two of our guests are employed and one is currently job searching. All three spent most of their time glued to smartphones and laptops. Instead of enjoying downtime, they were checking emails, responding to Slack messages, or scanning job boards. When I asked why, they said they didn’t feel like they could afford to be offline—literally or figuratively. One even said, “I’m afraid they’ll forget about me if I don’t check in.”

Seriously. Let me ask you this. Do you know anyone who has gone on vacation and come back to see a pink slip waiting for them on their desk?

You’ve Earned It So Take It

I’ve always believed that vacation time is earned and should be respected—by both employees and employers. For years, I only had two weeks of paid vacation, and I worked hard for it. Like many of you, I put in overtime, covered for colleagues, and took on additional responsibilities. That vacation wasn’t a luxury, it was a necessary break.

Here’s how to write a vacation request email with samples.

So what I learned was to set the expectations with my manager that I would not have the ability to check-in. I would also make sure that clients and co-workers knew that I would be out and provided contact information for my replacement. I briefed coworkers on what critical items they needed to know. (Only once did a client truly need some immediate help while I was out and my co-worker handled it with ease.)

Setting expectations and delegating and informing show responsibility.  A respected quality in today’s workplace.

The truth is, we are all replaceable.  If your manager wants to fire you or needs to fire you, it really doesn’t matter if you worked during your vacation or not.

5 Key Tips to Avoid Working on Vacation

1) Get Everyone On Board Early

Give your manager, team, and clients ample notice about your time off. Set the expectation that you will be offline. The earlier you communicate, the easier it will be to coordinate coverage.

2) Find a Vacation Buddy

Identify a trusted colleague who can be your point person while you’re away. Provide them with a quick briefing and a list of key contacts. Offer to return the favor when they take their vacation.

3) Select Your Vacation Time Wisely

Choose a time that aligns with slower business cycles if possible. This reduces the chance of urgent issues arising while you’re gone. If your role is seasonal, plan your break accordingly.

4) Leave a Roadmap

Document key tasks, due dates, and contact info in a shared folder or email. This makes it easier for your team to handle things and shows you’re thinking ahead.

5) Neatness Counts

Before you leave, tidy up your inbox, finish loose ends, and set up a clear out-of-office message. The smoother your departure, the easier your return will be.

Why Time Off Matters

Employers are beginning to understand this, too. Many progressive managers encourage their teams to disconnect fully when taking time off. Why? Because refreshed employees perform better.

If your manager frowns upon vacation, that’s not a reflection of your value, it’s a red flag about the company culture. A healthy workplace supports boundaries and acknowledges that employees are more than just productivity machines.

And let’s not forget, in many countries outside the U.S., vacation is encouraged. Some European countries mandate four to six weeks of paid vacation, and it’s expected that employees will not be available during that time.

Boundaries Are Professional

Let’s be clear: your employer does not own your personal time. If you regularly go above and beyond, then taking time off shouldn’t be seen as a lack of commitment. In fact, setting healthy boundaries signals confidence, self-awareness, and professionalism.

Remember, being available 24/7 isn’t sustainable and it doesn’t make you a better employee. What does? Showing up energized, focused, and ready to contribute. That only happens when you take care of yourself, and yes, that includes time off.

Take Action

So here’s my challenge to you: when was the last time you fully unplugged from work? If it’s been too long, now is the time to change that.

Look at your calendar. Block off time. Talk to your manager. Make a plan.

And when the day comes, leave your laptop at home, turn off notifications, and give yourself permission to truly take a break.

You’ve earned it.

Hannah Morgan speaks and writes about job search and career strategies. She founded CareerSherpa.net to educate professionals on how to maneuver through today’s job search process. Hannah was nominated as a LinkedIn Top Voice in Job Search and Careers and is a regular contributor to US News & World Report. She has been quoted by media outlets, including Forbes, USA Today, Money Magazine, Huffington Post, as well as many other publications. She is also author of The Infographic Resume and co-author of Social Networking for Business Success.