In this day and age, when someone goes on vacation, especially if that individual is in a demanding position at work, very rarely is it ACTUALLY a vacation. With so many ways to connect with someone, be it cell phone or email, if there is a really pressing need, anyone “out of the office” can be contacted. As a vacation is an important escape from the pressures of every day life, and a rare one at that, the possibility of such an intrusion into their vacation can weigh heavily on that person’s mind. During those times, it is important to make clear that you will be completely unavailable should shit hit the fan, and if necessary, ensure that your vacation destination is out in the middle of no where… preferably a place that has yet to embrace the technology that we are so used to, that we take for granted, and in some cases, see as a curse.

The CEO of the company that Molly works for has an awesome “out of the office” reply that not only got the point across, but made me laugh as well:

WAY OUT OF OFFICE ALERT (till Dec 2nd)

No, seriously.  I mean “in a place that doesn’t have wireless” out of office.

“Oops, I dropped my Blackberry in the ocean” out of office.

“Sand in my toes, better drink that before it gets warm, ok, I guess I’ll go swimming again, can you pass me another because I seriously can’t get out of this chair” kind of out of office.

“sooooo, not checking message unless it is hidden at the bottom of a rum punch, gotta put more sunscreen on or I am going to fry” out of office.

I think you get the picture.

Physically back on the 2nd, mentally back sometime later that week.  Will return emails when the saltwater dries out of my keyboard.

If things are falling apart or you need to track someone down (or else you really need to say what an awesome job we are doing), call **removed**.

Some snobby bastards may find something like the above unprofessional, but I think it’s an indication of the laid-back attitude that a lot of CEOs (the good ones anyway) have these days, including the CEO of the company I work for. It is important to remember that a CEO is a human being just like the rest of us, and usually has more on his or her plate than those who are working at the same company.

As such, if they need to get the hell out of dodge for a bit, it’s in everyone’s best interest, and also the company’s best interest, that they be given the time they need to relax and clear their minds. They’re not gods… they just get the final say on how much booze is going to be at company party.