As a homeworker taking a holiday is just a little bit different to office workers, mainly around being more organised and verbose.

Delete Meetings and Reject Invites. As you’re always physically absent it’s hard to tell if your missing. Go through your electronic calendar or physical diary. Also consider messaging invitees for critical meetings that will take place and you’ll not be attending.

Document State. Ensure all commitments and work schedules have current information, with clear updates and plans for while you’re away and immediate return. This covers you In case of questions or things go badly.

Set Expectations for Progress. Ensure people taking over your responsibilities know what to do and setup a debrief meeting on your return – this will encourage them to take ownership. Share the delegated ownership with higher management AND within your out-of-office message.

Prepare for your Return. Make a to-do list for when you’re back – things you didn’t get to before you left or important things you might forget about.

Clear The Decks. I clear out my whole email inbox before I go. Moving anything useful into a folder and deleting the rest. It makes the hour/s scanning new emails on my return somewhat more manageable.

Leave ‘Emergency’ Contact Details. Ask key people to call or text with serious problems but that you’ll not be looking at work email. This helps you stick to that promise!