As Iowans head off on their summer vacations, more of them are taking their work along for the trip. A survey by the staffing service Robert Half International shows 68-percent of people on vacation still check in with the office or do work online. Mike Gremmer, regional vice president for Robert Half in Des Moines, says that number took a big bounce since the last survey in 2012. “It’s up 20% so that’s up what I would consider substantially,” Gremmer says.

Today’s electronic gadgets are making it harder and harder to unplug, even if the boss isn’t demanding you stay in close touch. “Definitely the advancements in technology and on-demand access to financial information is making it so much easier and tempting,” Gremmer says. “As far as how much is self-inflicted versus the boss, I think a lot of it is self-inflicted, to be honest with you.”

He says workers sometimes feel obligated to check in with the office because their boss set that trend. Supervisors should reverse that habit, if possible. “There’s a way you can do that by setting the expectations with your team members and then sticking to it,” Gremmer says. “It also gives one some work-life balance. It shows your team that if you’re leading by example and if you’re doing it, then they will do it as well.”

Gremmer says everyone needs to recharge their own personal batteries while on vacation, and not the ones on their smart phone, laptop or tablet.

(Radio Iowa)