Work Follows You: Two-thirds Are Reachable During Vacation
Above all, text messages and phone calls are answered even while traveling. About half of those surveyed believe their supervisor expects them to be reachable.
Checking emails by the pool, taking a phone call at the hotel, sending text messages on the beach—for most people, vacations mean a limited break, since the majority remain available for work anyway. Two-thirds (66 percent) of working people taking a summer vacation this year will be available for work during that time. This figure is in line with previous years (2025: 67 percent; 2024: 66 percent). This is the result of a representative survey of 1,004 people in Germany aged 16 and older, including 358 working adults who are going on summer vacation this year.
It’s primarily text messages and phone calls that working professionals respond to while on vacation: 62 percent can be reached via text messages such as SMS or through messaging services like WhatsApp, and 61 percent respond to phone calls. 22 percent can be reached by email, and 14 percent take video calls. 7 percent can be contacted via collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams or Slack. «The ability to work flexibly in terms of time and location must not lead to employees feeling that they have to be constantly available, even while on vacation. Those who are truly able to relax not only live healthier lives, but also work more productively,» said Bitkom CEO Dr. Bernhard Rohleder.
Those who remain reachable despite being on vacation usually do so to meet the expectations of others: About half (53 percent) of those who are reachable for work while on vacation say their colleagues expect it of them, followed by expectations from supervisors (47 percent). About one-third (34 percent) believe that customers expect them to be reachable, while 16 percent say the same about their business partners. Fifteen percent feel obligated by their employees. Sixteen percent state that they choose to be available for work-related matters while on vacation of their own accord. Rohleder: «Coverage arrangements should be organized in a timely manner, and expectations should be communicated transparently. Establishing rules regarding availability in case of an emergency provides clarity for everyone involved. The goal should always be to avoid having to resort to such a contingency plan in the first place.»
Methodology Note: The data is based on a survey conducted by Bitkom Research on behalf of the digital industry association Bitkom. A total of 1,004 people in Germany aged 16 and older were interviewed by phone, including 358 working adults who had planned a summer vacation. The survey took place between calendar weeks 17 and 21 of 2026. The survey as a whole is representative. The questions asked were: «Will you be available for work during your summer vacation this year?» and «Why will you be available while on vacation?».
Source: bitkom
