It’s autumn holiday time for thousands of Norwegians this week, with schools closed for what’s called the annual høstferie, but that doesn’t mean employees are inaccessible. A new study suggests most don’t mind getting calls from work even when they’re on vacation.
Norwegians, according to a survey of 15,000 employees in eight European countries, are the most willing to get a call from the boss when they’re off duty. Newspaper Dagens Næringsliv (DN) reports that fully 81 percent of Norwegians questioned actually like it when the boss calls in the midst of a holiday.
The study was conducted by online recruiting firm StepStone and suggests that Norwegians are unique in their willingness to be interrupted whether they’re vacationing at a mountain cabin as many are this week, traveling overseas or spending time with family. The 81 percent figure compares to an average of just 58 percent of those in the other countries who think it’s acceptable to be called by the boss during their free time.
Austrians were the least open to holiday interruptions, with 42 percent responding that it was absolutely not OK to get a call from work during vacation, followed by the Dutch (40 percent) and the Germans (39 percent).
StepStone’s own management officials believe a call from the boss in the middle of holidays can lead to family conflicts and give the employer a bad reputation, according to DN.
Views and News staff
