To catch up on work on a days off

[SilverGlitterBaubles]

So work has been quite busy and stressful recently. I have been panicking all weekend about work that's piling up. I have a few days off for half term and think I will use this time to catch up. DH says absolutely not it's my holiday time and that I am too conscientious and I am giving my employers an unrealistic expectation of workload. I just cannot relax when I feel like I'm behind. AIBU? Should I just get on with it and then relax or just deal with it when I get back.

I’d do it because you won’t be able to relax otherwise.

I don’t think you should do it. I agree that you’re giving your employers an unrealistic expectation of the workload that can be done. Perhaps they need to employ an additional person. When can you relax if you work on your days off?

I'm doing it. In my organisation, you are the problem, if you can't keep up with what is piled on you. NHS.

Yes, I always do it.
It means I can start 'official' work time again in a better frame of mind.

I’ve done it but it really impacts on your rest and wellbeing.

Try not to.

Are you s teacher? In which case its the norm unfortunately.

I do this all the time in teaching and the build up of stress is unbelievable. I decided the other day that I am actually not caring about myself or my family anymore. My house is a mess and I have piles of paperwork and ironing because I am prioritising work over myself.

No, take a break. Thats just as important as getting work done, you'll probably feel like you have more headspace for work when you're back if you have had a break away from it.

@Fallagain No not a teacher or NHS, I work in the private sector. I guess this is the downfall of WFH, pre Covid when I was fully office based this wouldn't even be a consideration as I did not have the facility to access work at home whereas now I do it is always there.

I think ideally holiday is holiday and work is work but I also struggle to relax knowing it's piling up. Sometimes I book leave and then realise I need to work but I discuss with my boss and say I am going to work X day from home to do X,y,z so will cancel that day as leave but won't be in the office. She is always fine on that basis. I also think it depends on your seniority. There is an expectation that the work gets done in my job. I know that means sometimes I do overtime but the balance is flexibility other times so I am fine with it. My DH is micromanaged and has to check in and out at certain times. No way would he give up leave to help and nor should he.

I do as much as possible at the start of my break till I get too fucked off with the situation.

I can't relax knowing I could do something to slightly diminish the avalanche of crap that is going to descend on me when I return anyway.

I don't think you should do it because it sends the message that your workload is manageable, and your employer will respond by giving you even more next time.

In my experience employers keep giving you more and more work until you stop getting everything done. It's an unpleasant experience when you fail to complete all of your work, and even worse when you work in a role where that will impact on other people. But the other outcome is that your workload keeps growing, you end up working non stop, until you go off sick with stress.

I am doing this because I am new in my job (3 months in) and feel I am not up to speed yet, I hope I won’t be doing this after 6 months or so. Is it a one off or just once a year type bottleneck? It’s not healthy if it is a common occurrence, you need rest days but I totally understand why you can’t relax knowing the work is piling up.

Hmm, I think it depends. I would do any work that is very time sensitive. For work that is less time sensitive I would email the relevant people involved to let the know I’d get to it by xxx date as I’m on annual leave (pick a couple of days after you return so it’s not unrealistic!)

Is it a busy period - or is your employer always like this? Are they flexible otherwise?
I have busy periods where I’m working all the time but others where I can take a 3 hour lunch, if I leave early for an appointment etc my employer doesn’t mind. Sometimes things come up when I’ve taken holidays so I don’t mind dedicating a bit of time (couple of hours max) sorting it out. I take the time back later anyway.

Depends on context

I regularly work at weekends to catch up, it's quite a nice time to get on with things uninterrupted. But I wouldn't do it on a pre-booked holiday.

Depends on a few things really, but unless it's down to you that you're behind / you're new in the job and getting to grips with it all / some other pressing reason then NO. I have the type of job where no matter how much I do it's never enough and therefore stress and burnout is always a risk. I never check my emails on my days off or do work unless absolutely urgent (which is very rare) because it wrecks my leave. My head is very much 'in my work' during work time as it is intellectually complex and emotionally demanding.

I would never ever in a million years work in my holiday time

My first thought was that you were a teacher, we usually go in to do those jobs that are easier done than when the children aren't around. Most people I work with are in very early and leave late too.

For me, it depends how flexible things are the rest of the time. So I'm happy to work weekends or on my day off on the basis that there are some days when I finish a couple of hours early so it all balances out.

I’ve done this before but only when I was horribly behind due to my own poor management of an unusual workload. It is not a good idea if the workload is the problem, as you’ll end up in a repeating cycle.

I would never work in my holidays or weekends. I am paid to do a job 9-5 during the week. If I have so much work on that I Cannot get it done during normal hours, then there is too much work and I need help. My employer knows this and I am never asked to work on my days off. I will work late to get a job over the line, but that is my choice and certainly not expected.

I'm a huge believer in work life balance and there is no balance if you put work before you're own health and family.

Take this time to breathe and refresh, work can wait and you'll feel better for the break. Then have a good think about how you can make work better, even if that means a difficult conversation with your boss.

If you have some free time during this week I would probably do some work otherwise it would impact on enjoying the week off.

I am in the public sector (not teacher or NHS) and do this all the time, as do many of my colleagues. I also work several evenings a week til midnight or later. Starting to drive my husband barmy and I too have noticed things piling up at home (admin and actual belongings and chores) and I have to drag myself out of bed on days off as I'm so worn out.
Not sure what the answer is as my sector is chronically short staffed and struggling to recruit. I am aware that if I don't put in the hours it impacts others and can worsen many aspects within my sector but I can't keep working above my hours indefinitely.

Sorry no help really but you're not alone. Agree that having computer at home greatly exacerbates the issue as previously I'd accept staying half an hour late (or more if husband off) and the odd Sat going in to do specific tasks. Now work is so accessible that I log on far too much and save jobs specifically for out of hours when I can give it more thought

If you're a teacher then its normal, if office job then no I wouldn't.