The majority, or 86%, of Latvian employees admit that they answer work-related phone calls while on holiday, and 37% always do so if someone rings, according to data from a survey carried out by Tele2 in cooperation with Norstat. Meanwhile, only 14% of employees say that they never answer work-related calls.

Almost half, or 48%, of employees do not switch off notifications for work emails or internal company chats even while on holiday, and so continue to receive information about what is happening at work.

“A balance between work and private life is one of the most essential factors in an employee being productive and contributing as much as possible to achieving a company's goals. There are undeniably various crisis situations in which you have to deal with a work matter during your holiday, but it is important to be able to draw boundaries and to respect them – this applies to the employee, the employer and colleagues alike. On this question we can all certainly learn from our Tele2 colleagues in Scandinavia, where holiday time is very much respected,” says Aija Bite-Ozere, Head of Human Resources at Tele2. “What is more, technologies are available these days that make it possible, for example, to serve a colleague's clients or business partners efficiently while they are on holiday.”

Data from the survey carried out by Tele2 show that 33% of employees are able to switch off from work within the first few days of their holiday, while for 24% this takes several days. 26% of employees say that they find it difficult to switch off from work completely, and 17% even admit that they cannot do so at all – they continue to deal with work-related matters while on holiday. Those in managerial positions are the most likely to admit that they cannot switch off and rest properly.

The survey was carried out in cooperation with Norstat in June this year, polling 1001 respondents aged between 18 and 74.

About Tele2

Tele2 is a multi-service company for people, providing the fastest mobile internet in Latvia, top-level customer service and a wide range of services – mobile communications, home internet, smart devices, television and insurance services. Tele2 is one of the best-loved brands in Latvia and the number one choice of private customers in the mobile communications market. There are more than 1 million connections on the Tele2 network.