“Are you available for work at Christmas, between the years and the New Year, by e-mail, telephone, video call or text message, provided you are on vacation?” And “Why are you available on vacation?” Are the questions that Bitkom Research in November 2020 on behalf of Bitkom 1002 People from 16 years in a representative survey. Among them were 473 working people who have vacation over Christmas.

Employees in the home office are more likely to be contacted on Christmas vacation than their counterparts in the office.

From these vacation candidates stated 61 percent that they could also be reached for business matters while on vacation. Telephone contact is most commonly accepted, but at least 42% said they also take video calls. However, willingness is decreasing: In a comparable survey 2019 still had 71% stated, to be available by phone, e-mail and Co., 2013 was the share even at 74%.

Differences in detail There is a clear difference between employees who currently work completely or partially in the home office: Here are 71 Percent can be reached on business during the Christmas vacation – among professionals who do not work in the home office, it is only 48 percent. “A willingness to be available outside of working hours is particularly high wherever employees enjoy working hours based on trust, flexibility and flat hierarchies – and where there are digitized work processes and environments,” says Bitkom Managing Director Dr. Bernhard Rohleder about it. At the same time, he pointed out the importance of being able to use free time as undisturbed as possible for relaxation and for family and friends. He directs the request to the companies to pay attention to well-functioning representation solutions.

There is a tendency towards external determination in the explanations . 61% stated that in their opinion their line managers would expect this. 44% want the expectations of colleagues and 28% that customers meet. Only 21% would like to be available on their own initiative.

(avr)