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Summer vacation or work call? The Germans are so accessible!
A survey shows that 67% of working people are reachable during their summer vacation, often out of expectation.
Summer vacation or work call? The Germans are so accessible!
A current survey by the digital association Bitkom shows that the majority of working people in Germany can be reached for business matters even during their summer vacation. 67 percent of those surveyed are willing to respond to work inquiries even in their free time. These findings are based on a survey of 1,006 people aged 16 and over in Germany, including 364 who are planning a summer holiday this year.
The ability to be reachable on vacation varies greatly by age group. While 73 percent of 50 to 64 year olds say they are approachable during their vacation, the figure is only 57 percent of 16 to 29 year olds. However, almost a third (32%) of working people would like to remain undisturbed during their vacation, which indicates a certain tension between professional expectations and the need for relaxation.
Accessibility and its reasons
The survey makes it clear that not only individual decisions, but above all external expectations influence accessibility. Of working respondents who are reachable while on vacation, 57 percent say colleagues insist on it, while 52 percent cite their managers' expectations. In addition, 40 percent see customer expectations as the reason for their decision-making.
Accessibility also differs between different professional groups: 87 percent of self-employed people can be reached on vacation, while the proportion of employed professionals is 63 percent. When asked how they stay in touch, the results show a clear preference for certain communication channels. 66 percent of respondents respond primarily to text messages, followed by calls (63%). In addition, 27 percent can be reached by email, 17 percent take part in video calls and 8 percent use collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams or Slack.
Responsibility of employers
Dr. Bernhard Rohleder, CEO of Bitkom, emphasizes that it is the responsibility of employers to establish clear regulations regarding accessibility. This could help defuse the tension between professional demands and the need for relaxation during vacation.
Overall, the survey raises interesting questions about the boundaries between professional and private life and shows that there is a strong willingness to be available even on vacation. This could bring both opportunities and challenges for employees’ work-life balance.