Avon

Senior Account Executive

Are you able to actually unplug while on PTO?

My current company sucks for a lot of reasons but one thing they do right is respect PTO. Im currently midway through an interview cycle and one thing that gives me pause is the reviews on glassdoor and repvue about how hard it is to take PTO and that when they do approve it they expect you to still work.

I asked a question on Repvue about this being the case, and two people who responded said something to the effect of "well if you're in sales, you should expect to still be monitoring your email and slack, and if that bothers you, you are in the wrong profession". Personally I feel like this is bs, but maybe they're right and I am in the wrong profession. Curious what its like for most of your companies.

🤠 Culture

✈️ Travel

29 comments

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jefe

Arsonist

🍁

I generally unplug, but if there's something big brewing that will mean a lot to me I'll keep an eye on things to make sure it's handled.

Gasty

Notable Contributor

War Room Community Manager

Of course!
I know, I had this habbit to keep on checking stuff and see whats the update on accounts, deals, etc. but then you realise, you need to unplug as well! It’s only healthy.

Still keep an eye out for important things.

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

What's the point of PTO if you're still working?

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

☕️

I delete slack and log out of corp email. If you can’t figure it out without me, or the people I appointed in my place, then you can kick rocks with open toed shoes.

medhardwaredr

Opinionated

Director of Sales NA

Yes. Our culture is incredible though so it’s nowhere near the norm in the industry, or any industry for that matter

Avon

Politicker

Senior Account Executive

What type of company?

medhardwaredr

Opinionated

Director of Sales NA

We do a shit ton but we are a manufacturer technically. Medical is our top industry and we are in every hospital in the world. Pretty much in any company as well whether it’s an office building or a store

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

If I'm responding to something timely for a client I'll "work" if it's making dials or emails for net new business I'm likely out

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

Lets look at the other side of things - assume you're on PTO and something pops up with one of your accounts (either good or bad). Who's gonna take care of it? Do you trust anyone in your org to handle it with the same attention to detail you would? Or like they would for their own accounts? I Don't. Been burned too many times.

You're in Sales. No one is going to do your job for you. There is no real backup, etc. If you feel you NEED to be able to 100% unplug while on PTO then maybe Sales isn't for you... Try Marketing or HR.

Avon

Politicker

Senior Account Executive

I asked for opinions so I wont downvote you. But that just sounds like a recipe for burnout to me. I always crush it when I get back from PTO because my energy levels are so much higher.

FoodForSales

Politicker

same reason why many women (and now men) in sales have difficulties with maternity/paternity leave. No one is there to fill their funnel and do the work.

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

If you have been fortunate enough to be in organization(s) which cover for you when you're out - that's great. Most sales people I know, and their managers, don't have the bandwidth to cover someone else's accounts for a week or two and still cover their own stuff (I know I don't).

Many hate hearing truth because it doesn't mesh with their wants, or worse - their feelings. Vacation is important, don't get me wrong, but doing your job is YOUR job.

And I'm unapologetic about my opinions, up or down votes.

Space_Ghost20

Valued Contributor

Account Executive

I suppose it depends on how "unplugged" one is while on vacation. If I have a once in a lifetime opportunity to see my team play in the World Series, I'm probably not answering emails during the game. If it was that important, it should have been sent in the morning. If it wasn't, that means it can wait until tomorrow.

FoodForSales

Politicker

I have to agree - I dont trust anyone but myself.

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

☕️

This take is weaker than a newborn tortoise.

antiASKHOLE

Tycoon

Bravado's Resident Asshole

I agree with both sides of the argument, I'm just not going to go out of my way to actively work while I'm on PTO. I will check my email and that is about it. If something big comes up, I know who i can send it to.

Space_Ghost20

Valued Contributor

Account Executive

Generally, I'm available (but not immediately so) to answer emails/quick questions while on PTO. I'm not prospecting or taking meetings or doing demos, unless it's literally to have someone sign a contract (and in that case it would be prearranged).
On one vacation we went to Petra and Wadi Rum in Jordan. It was an all day thing where we left my sister-in-law's house at 6 am and didn't come back until close to midnight. I wasn't answering jack squat that day. I wasn't out of pocket the whole trip, but there are certain days or activities that aren't conducive to being attached to my phone/laptop.

Phillip_J_Fry

Opinionated

Director of Revenue

I do my best to let everyone know that I'll be OOO. Any incoming emails that I give, I'll respond with a 'hey i saw this, but i'm on vacation and i'll get on it as soon as I get back'.

BigShrimpin

Catalyst

Account executive

if you want to avoid missing time sensitive deals then it would behoove you to still monitor email for important updates but that should take 5 minutes of your day MAX

personally i just check in the morning or if something pops up ill deal with it if important otherwise i leave it til i get back

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

I’ve had PTO go both ways. Sometimes when I’m really able to walk off (usually around the holidays - your customers aren’t working either) and when I have responded to a quick email or two. No meetings, no presentations, no demos. I set it up so I’m in the clear during my time off.

That said, for other reasons having nothing to do with work, I haven’t taken a substantial PTO for a while, just a few very long weekends here and there. That will change this year. And I will not be working.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

I'm on PTO now and I took Outlook off of my phone. The issues will still be there and will be handled when I get back.

Boundaries are important.

HVACexpert

Politicker

sales engineer

I always feel I have to knock out a few things so I don’t come back to a mountain of work , but that’s more my personality and preference than the company forcing me to work or be available.

SalesBeast

Politicker

Sales Director

I do not trust others either my paycheck and I do check emails during PTO. If it’s an issue then support can handle it. If it’s a hot deal in progress and I will get the commissions from it- I take the 10 minutes to respond and know it’s done correctly and swiftly. Nobody cares about you making that commission like you do, so don’t let others fuck your deals up.
If you can not take a few hrs during your PTO to ensure your next commission is large and on track maybe you shouldn’t be in sales. Harsh truth but making 200k+ a year comes with a bit of responsibility and being a big boy or girl.

SaaSguy

Tycoon

Account Executive

100%. The first couple times I couldn't - I soon realized if I dont unplug im going to burnout and its going to be more detrimental to my performance than taking some time off.

Filth

Politicker

Live Filthy or Die Clean

I still check my email once every 3 days (roughly) just to clean up the inbox and make sure there aren't any fires from clients that don't understand the message in the OOF that says talk to support.
Makes it easier for me to unplug knowing there aren't hidden clusterfucks happening in the background that I'd be walking into when I get back.

detectivegibbles

Politicker

Sales Director

Be connected if you want to be connected. There's clients I am willing to talk to while on PTO if I'm not tied up with something else. I'm still willing to help if I have capacity even while on PTO.

Be unplugged if you want to be unplugged. You earned the PTO. Get paid while off. If leadership has an issue with this, there's a bigger issue.

"boss man, I'm on PTO starting tomorrow. XYZ are done, nothing needs addressed until I'm back. You can email/call/text but I can't promise I'll be available. Deuces"

SaasSlingin

Politicker

Sr AE

We should be able to take off completely and not feel an ounce of guilt. F what those people responded with.

That said if there’s a big important deal in flight while on PTO, I defenitely prioritize coordinating w everyone involved still.

JavierCake

Fire Starter

Account Executive

Okay F that noise. While time kills all deals, a LITTLE time won’t, so if that’s the attitude this new place has, I say stay away.

CRAG112

Valued Contributor

Account Executive

Everything negative on Glassdoor has always been proven to be true. Why go to a company that sucks worse?

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Avon

Are you able to actually unplug while on PTO?

29 comments

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