The Perils of Out-of-Office Emails
We've all been there: you're sitting on the couch, Netflix on, a glass of wine in hand, finally enjoying some well-deserved “me time,” when ding – an email from your boss appears on your phone. The relaxation has vanished, replaced by dread and the overwhelming desire to throw your phone across the room.
But, before you go all “Office Space” on your device, let's take a step back and laugh at the situation. After all, laughter is the best medicine (unless you have a serious illness, in which case you should consult a doctor).
First and foremost, let's address the elephant in the room: why do our bosses think it's acceptable to send us emails after hours? Do they have no life? Do they not understand what a “weekend” is? It's as if they believe we're robots on standby, ready to spring into action at any moment. We're human, and we need downtime to recharge our batteries.
But, alas, we live in a world where technology allows us to be connected to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and some bosses just can't seem to resist the temptation. So, what are our options?
Setting boundaries is one option. Inform your boss that you will not be available to respond to emails after hours, and stick to it. If they keep sending emails, simply ignore them until the next workday. This communicates to them that you value your “me time” and that their urgent request can be postponed.
Another option is to embrace the absurdity of the situation and laugh at it. Next time you get an out-of-office email, respond with a witty comeback, like “I'm sorry, I'm currently enjoying a martini and can't be bothered with work right now” or “I'm sorry, I'm currently binge-watching 'Bridgerton' and can't be bothered with work right now”.
In the end, it's essential to remember that we all require time away from work to focus on ourselves. Don't let an out-of-office email ruin your “me time” the next time you get one. Instead, take a deep breath, laugh, and remember that you have complete control over your schedule.
Please excuse me while I go pour myself a glass of wine.
Talk soon, B.