Ask HN: My boss ask I take my emails while on vacation

Hi HN !

I recently took on a managerial role / project manager (I manage 2 programmers) at my work. Now that the summer holidays are approaching, my boss asks me, that during my holidays, I take my emails or that I be available to be called (~ 3h week).

He tells me that this is normal and that it comes with the role of manager.

On your side what is the vacancy policy in your company when you are managers ? Have you any advice on how to handle this ?

For the context it is a small business of 6 people.

Vacation isn't vacation if you're doing work. Take a hard line. Make sure the same happens for the people you're managing as well.

Nope. Speak to your Trade Union about this. If you're on the clock, you're not on leave and you need to be paid for it.

If you're not a member of a Trade Union, then I recommend taking your holiday somewhere which has no phone reception. A nice mountain hike, or similar.

If the company is only 6 people I don't think it's unreasonable to ask you to check email. Small companies need to project as bigger than they are to potential clients and answering your emails helps that illusion. Just take 20 minutes and do it after lunch.

If its America yes I think its normal you're available for important decisions and emergencies, esp in a small team. 3hrs/week sounds too much though.