APART from a fast-fading tan, Heathrow airport in the pouring rain and a tiny bank balance, the worst thing about coming back from holiday is returning to a heaving desk that looks more like a rubbish dump than the shining example of tidiness and efficiency you left behind just a few short weeks ago.

Instead of behaving like a team and lending a helping hand while you’re enjoying a much-needed break from work, more often than not your colleagues will simply let your voicemails, emails and “urgent to do” list reach epic proportions.

However, rather than spoiling your holiday by worrying about the office, there are a few things you can do before you jet off to the sunshine, guaranteed to help alleviate some of the inevitable stress you’re bound to feel on your return to reality.

Dr Nicola Bunting, director of La Vita Nuova Personal and Professional Coaching, advises: “On holiday, you want to be 100 per cent focused on the pleasures and joys of the present moment and in order to do that, you need to have an organised and prepared departure.

“In order to ensure a smooth handover and transition, a good strategy is to write a two-to four-week countdown planning list before you go.

“It’s also helpful to have relevant discussions with colleagues in the days leading up to your departure so that you’re not having frantic last-minute talks with your colleagues before you go or, worse still, having them communicating with you on holiday.

“Too many people end up not really getting the benefits of a complete break from work by taking calls around the pool or constantly checking emails,” Bunting warns.

“This is not only unhealthy but very annoying to your family and fellow guests!”

Before you go

  • You know best what deadlines you need to meet before, during, and straight after the time of your absence, so do a little extra each day to get yourself caught up or even ahead of the game.
  • Be sure to leave very detailed notes on anything that is pending or in progress.
  • If your office uses an automated computer or database entry system, make sure you have entered or scanned any urgent documents or notes.
  • As well as a voice mail, always set up an automatic “out of office” email message stating how long you’ll be gone and exactly when you will be back to avoid increasingly frustrated messages from clients and colleagues.
  • Lastly, make sure you notify your manager if you are leaving any time-sensitive projects on your desk. People can’t pick up where you left off if they don’t even know a project exists and your work relationships may suffer if people are led to believe you up and left without giving their needs a second thought.