Michael Oberreiter, Head of Global Access at Roche, shared on LinkedIn:
“Screw the idea that work-life balance means switching off completely.
There. I said it.
I don’t buy into the competition around ‘going off grid’, ‘totally disconnecting’, proudly not looking at emails for two weeks and using social media to celebrate the non-use of social media (bit ironic, isn’t it).
Good for you. It’s just not me.
I like my job. I like what I do. Thinking about how we can work better with policymakers to create the conditions for innovation to be developed and reach the people who need it doesn’t suddenly stop because I’m on holiday.
So yes, I read emails. I respond when something matters to someone in my team. I have the occasional thought about work while sitting by the sea.
And I’m perfectly happy with that. Like zero guilt feelings.
For me, a good holiday isn’t about pretending work doesn’t exist. It’s about having the freedom to decide what deserves my attention.
I’d rather stay connected to something I care about than spend the first days back dealing with a thousand emails just to prove I disconnected.
The sun is coming up. Monty is watching the sea. We are pretty Zen.
And yes, I’m still thinking about work.”
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