CAREERS: Sun, sea, sand and no laptops - The holiday season is upon us as marketers across the country pack their bags and head for the sun, but can they leave the office behind? Jane Bainbridge reports

Your voice-mail message has been changed, the dog has been booked

into the kennel and the kids’ inflatable dingy has finally been squeezed

into the bulging car boot. But as you head for the ferry how easy is it

to shed your work worries and relax? According to a survey carried out

for Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, it all depends on what job you’re

doing.

While the majority of business people surveyed consider annual holidays

to be essential for maintaining their job performance and positive state

of mind, some find it harder than others to forget work.

Indeed shutting off from work may not be an option if you left a contact

number back at the office. Tony Blair may have to, given that he’s

responsible for the country, but is it really necessary for a brand

manager?

Hyatt’s survey interviewed 622 managers ranging from chief executives to

managers in both medium and large companies. In total 75% said they call

into the office while on holiday, 71% check their phone messages and 60%

receive phone calls or e-mail from the office.

It’s clearly not much of a holiday for many, with over half (54%) saying

they have spent holiday time doing office work. About one in four even

go so far as to pack their laptops.

Nevertheless, for the majority it only takes one day of a holiday to get

work off their minds and by day two 69% have managed to block out work

sufficiently to relax and enjoy themselves.

And finally, don’t think by not taking all your holiday it’ll get you up

the career ladder faster - while over half of the managers questioned

said they don’t take all their allotted days, in general they also said

no one ever thanked them for it.

This article was first published on Marketing