Handover doc is done. Every area has an owner. People still message me 'just a quick check' about things the doc already covers. If I'm getting these now, I can guess how leave will go. For those who managed it: what made it stick once you were off?
Don't answer the first one after you go on leave. Seriously, if you answer the first one it's over 😅 I replied to 'one small doubt' on day two of my leave years ago and got messages till month three. Also put the owner names in your out-of-office, not just 'contact my manager'. People take the easy route if you leave one open.
We see the same pattern in hospital departments when someone is away. The first exception becomes the rule. What has worked for us is a named deputy who is explicitly allowed to make the call, including the occasional wrong one. If the deputy can decide, people stop forwarding things.
as a founder i didnt even get an out of office 🤷 but the dont answer the first one bit is true. i caved in week one and regretted it
Added the owner names to the out-of-office today, with a line saying each of them can decide. My manager read it and asked, 'but you'll be reachable for emergencies, right?' So. We'll see.
Keep going
More from the parents who were here.