Upon returning from my time off in Berlin: My Preference for Resuming Work on Fridays
After a refreshing break, the author finds themselves back in the bustling city of Berlin, ready to tackle the challenges of work once again. However, the return was not as smooth as expected, thanks to an extended automatic out-of-office reply that gave the impression the boss was still on vacation.
Despite being back at his desk, the boss's email auto-responder continued to inform colleagues and outsiders that he was away, providing a "softer landing" back into the work routine. This unexpected twist added an element of surprise to the author's first day back, but it was soon forgotten as the realities of work set in.
The author's colleagues, appreciating the humour in the situation, later urged the author to write a column about the experience before the weekend. The author, who enjoys their job, found the idea appealing and decided to share their thoughts on the benefits of a day to ease back into work.
During vacations, people tend to switch to a different gear, taking a break from thinking and problem-solving. Returning to work, therefore, can be more intense and challenging due to the interrupted routine. The author, like many others, found that their head had to "kick back into gear" and perform.
Berlin, known for its vibrant energy, especially on a Friday, offered a welcome distraction. Some colleagues suggested giving themselves an extra free day to adjust, but the author chose to start work again on a Friday, facing the to-do list that resembled a roller coaster with fun loops.
The tradition of extending automatic out-of-office replies in email programs is a courteous and practical email etiquette tradition. It helps manage communication during prolonged absences by continuously informing contacts of unavailability and expected return or response times. The tone is kept professional, concise, and appreciative, fostering good communication even while away.
While the origins of this tradition are not clearly documented, it aligns with general communication best practices that have evolved with digital messaging systems to handle availability status transparently.
In the end, the author's first day back was filled with the usual work challenges, but the extended automatic reply added a touch of humour to the situation. As the author navigates through the week, they look forward to tackling each task on their to-do list, one at a time, just like a roller coaster ride.
When writing the column about their return to work, the author might reflect on how their 'lifestyle' of problem-solving and thinking, typically associated with 'home-and-garden' and 'work', was temporarily replaced by a 'travel' and leisure-oriented 'lifestyle' during their vacation. In order to efficiently manage communication during their extended absence, the author's boss employed a 'kind used' automation technique known as an automatic out-of-office reply.
