Travel - Preparing Your Workplace For Your Absence
One of the best ways to travel care-free and to enjoy your vacation to the fullest
is to depart with the knowledge that you have done everything possible at work to prepare for your absence. The following are a few suggestions that will help you to leave your workplace worries behind you when you depart:
Start by delegating responsibilities to others in your department. If you hold a management position you will be able to control how much work and to whom you wish to delegate. If on the other hand you are a subordinate, it is probably a good idea to apprise your boss of any helpful information you can give them so that they can know the best people to cover your work assignments when you are away.
Clarify with your co-workers which projects will be put on hold and which will be ongoing in your absence. Be sure to highlight any project deadline dates that are approaching and point out that you will need them completed either during your absence or within a short time of your return if that is when they are due.
Make sure that important files and jobs that are currently under way are readily available to those who will be taking over while you are gone. This may include computer files for which you will need to provide your password or allow a co-worker to have access to.
Cancel any previously scheduled appointments that fall during your vacation time or arrange for another person to attend these on your behalf.
Arrange for any deliveries to be made which were scheduled to take place during your absence.
Be sure to inform your most important clients of your upcoming absence and provide them with a contact person to whom you have delegated your work.
Make sure that you give instructions about booking appointments with a secretary or other person so that you are not over-booked or under-booked when you return.
Do not permit people from the office to call and disturb you while you are away. Try to avoid taking your cell phone with you and if you feel you need to call back to the office, do it from a payphone or from your hotel without leaving a forwarding number.
If you have any workplace committee meetings or extracurricular work activities (such as a charitable event or golf game) that will take place during your absence make sure that everyone is properly informed that you will not be attending.
Now that your workplace is prepared for your absence, relax and enjoy your well earned vacation!