Ok, I have decided to go on vacation from work for 3 weeks. I have never done this. I am taking a nice road trip down to the gulf and back, and then spend the rest of the time kicking back in Chicagoland. I have been planning this for months. Work knows and I trained someone else to do my job during my absence.
About a month ago my boss announced the vacation replacement would be doing my job starting 2 weeks before my vacation. I would be doing more of the network stuff, essentially duplicating another position currently occupied, but that is ok, there is plenty of work for 2. This is exactly the type of work i want to do. I want to do more network stuff. I have been working toward this for years.
Every day that passes I get more scared. I fear that while on vacation I am going to get a call to not bother coming back, just return the laptop.
I have no real reason for this. When I expressed my anxiety over my job being given to this other guy my boss assured me that he thinks i am a valuable employee. He said good and specific things about my skills and work habits. Just before all of this I was given a very decent raise. I have no tangible reason to fear for my job.
I have never taken a long vacation from work. When I moved on from both my previous career type jobs, I had weeks accumulated time. How do i shake this fear or should I?
Seriously, you’ve earned this time. I would say that if they haven’t given you any “you suck and we’re going to replace you” vibes, then you’re fine. IS/IT people are too scarce to be able to just fire someone because they go on vacation. Take it easy and enjoy your hard earned time off.
Whoa. Sounds like you DO need this vacation that bad. Relax, breathe deep. No one’s going to pull this job out from under your unsuspecting little tootsies. Hell, you deserve some time off. I’m sure your boss knows that too.
Uh oh. It sounds like the guilt monster is whispering in your ear! I know that it is sometimes hard for people to take time for themselves, but you certainly deserve it!
Chances are that they will NOT discover that they can get along just fine without you. Your absence is going to reinforce your value to them.
Whatever you do, do NOT ruin your vacation by calling in and checking your e-mail every day. Maybe every Monday, but force yourself to not think about your job. That’s my opinion.
Seriously, take a vacation and don’t worry about it. Are you kidding, do you realize that Americans take the least amount of vacation out of almost anyone in the world. I have friends overseas that have at least four weeks vacation. Gosh, am I envious. Enjoy your time off, have a ball.
Oh and remember, the goal here(I hope) is to work to live, and not live to work.
I have a great job. Decent pay, great insurance, 35 hour work week and even though i am salaried, if i work more than my 35 hours, i get to take that time off as comp time. I get to travel a bit, but not too much and I enjoy what i do.
