HR Strange But True

The Boss Is on Holiday: Do Not Disturb

By Stephen Bruce, PhD, PHR Jul 11, 2012 HR Strange But True

Updated: Jul 12, 2012

By Kyle Emshwiller

Are you having a hard time getting a response from your vacationing boss? Don’t take it personally. According to a recent survey, 51 percent of chief financial officers (CFOs) said they do not check in with the office at all while on vacation. That’s nearly double the response to a similar poll in 2010, when 26 percent said they disconnect from work while on vacation.


The Robert Half Management Resources survey asked CFOs, “During your summer vacation, how often do you typically check in with the office?” Here are the responses:

  • Several times daily: 8%
  • Once or twice daily: 11%
  • Several times a week: 27%
  • Once or twice a week: 2%
  • Do not check in: 51%
  • Don’t know/no answer: 1%

Considering the growing trend of smartphones and tablets, these results are surprising. Could this be a sign that CFOs are focusing more on finding work/life balance?

The survey was conducted by an independent research firm and includes responses from 1,400 CFOs from a stratified random sample of U.S. companies with 20 or more employees.

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