The law is clear, but: – Many people are available to their boss even on holiday

Summer, sun and sea – some people lie on the beach, others go on an active holiday. Suddenly your smartphone rings or a WhatsApp message appears. It is the boss. The question: Should I respond to this?

Let it ring
The law is clear: “I don’t have to pick up the phone if my boss calls in my free time. I can switch off my mobile phone, disconnect my landline and completely remove myself from the reach of others,” explains Martin Müller, labor law expert at ÖGB. It doesn’t matter whether someone works full-time, part-time or has an all-in contract. The situation looks different if on-call availability has been expressly agreed.

Interruptions are the order of the day
The fact that managers contact their employees outside of work hours is not an exception in the Internet age. In a survey among the ÖGB community, 93 percent answered yes to the question of whether they had ever been contacted during their free time. Many people are not even aware that this is an interruption of rest time. The fact is that every hour worked during free time must be compensated.
By the way, Finns and Swedes are most often disturbed in their rest, while employees in Lithuania, Spain and Cyprus have their rest.

Boy more for demarcation
A recent study by the digital association Bitkom recently showed that two-thirds of working people who had planned a summer vacation this year are available for work during this period. The surprising thing is that the generation that grew up with digital media is better able to distinguish between them. According to this report, “only” half of working people between the ages of 16 and 29 say that they will withdraw or write back this summer, while for people between the ages of 50 and 64 this is 73 percent.
The reasons for this include superiors and colleagues needing availability outside of duty. For others, customer expectations play a crucial role.

Only 15 percent want to be reachable on holiday
But: Only 15 percent indicate that they would like to be reachable independently during the break. “The vacation may only be disrupted in urgent emergencies. “Employers are responsible for organizing replacement solutions in a timely manner and agreeing on clear internal company rules for reachability during absence,” says Bitkom director Bernhard Rohleder.

The separation between work and leisure time is a common topic of conversation in therapist Martin Tomek’s practice.

“Crown”: Mr. Tomek, how should you end your vacation?
Martin Tomek: Switching to vacation mode and relaxing is important. Switch off all work devices and do things you enjoy. Mindfulness or meditation exercises help to clear your head. Concentrate on conscious enjoyment and beautiful vacation moments.

What are the psychological effects of mobile phones etc. at work?
In my practice I often see that constant availability leads to increased tension. This can lead to more absenteeism or even dismissals at companies. Chronic stress, sleep disorders, burnout and anxiety are the consequences. It is important to develop strategies to set boundaries. Fixed working hours, conscious breaks and careful use of digital media can reduce psychological stress.

Holiday calls – what do they do to the psyche?
This can be stressful and reminds you that you are never free. This leads to stress, anxiety and guilt. Impact is highly dependent on the relationship with the boss and the way of communicating. If availability is important, it helps to agree on times and communication channels in advance. Relaxation phases are essential for health.

How harmful is perceived constant availability?
Chronic stress, burnout, depression, cardiovascular diseases and high blood pressure are at risk. To prevent this, limits must be set. Fixed working hours, digital breaks and open communication about the need for recovery time are important. Healthy employees are more productive and contribute more to the success of the company.

How do you make it clear to the boss that it’s too much?
Prepare well by gathering concrete examples and proposed solutions. Choose a quiet moment and communicate openly and appreciatively, using “I” messages and emphasizing the long-term benefits to the company. Offer clear suggestions and stimulate dialogue through open questions.