Going to Mexico

[HighteeHeller]

Im going on vacation to Puerto Vallarta on Monday. I really wanted to bring my laptop and cell phone, but my family has suggested leaving both at home.

I want my cell phone in case my staff need to get in touch with me. They often text me to ask questions when im not there, or ask about shift changes or whatever. I have a couple people doing parts of my job they are uncomfortable with and i'd like to be available to them for that. I have free international texting, but does that mean i can only text inside my own country to other parts of the world, or can i do it from anywhere?
I also heard people can steal my phone number. I have no idea what they are talking about, but is this something i should be worried about?

I want to bring my laptop just because..well, because i want to.

 

[SmoothieX]

It's vacation. Leave that shit at home.

 

[HighteeHeller]

That crossed my mind. Not for very long, but i did think about it.

 

[Scout101]

Theft would be more of a concern, especially with the laptop. And yeah, it's vacation. If you're going to spend that much time working, don't bother to go, just go back to work.

Along those lines, if none of the people you're leaving in charge can manage without you, you need to fire them and replace them with competent people. It's nice to feel wanted and important, but if you've built the situation to the point where they can't get by without you, you're doing them and yourself a big disservice...

 

[HighteeHeller]

I've only been in my position for six months, so im new at it too. What ive asked them to do is my job, not theirs, and have had no reason until recently to have to teach anyone how to do it. It's certainly not their fault if they are still a little unsure of what to do. And not mine either. We have been working together, at this for weeks but they lack confidence in their abilities to do the job well. Hell, even i feel like that sometimes, i cant fault them for that.

It's crossed my mind not to go on this trip, but the tickets are paid for, i am going with a group of people, including my children, and really there is no reason why i shouldn't go. I'm just worried about work, and want to be able to stay connected.

 

[John Picard]

Theft would be more of a concern, especially with the laptop. And yeah, it's vacation. If you're going to spend that much time working, don't bother to go, just go back to work.

Along those lines, if none of the people you're leaving in charge can manage without you, you need to fire them and replace them with competent people. It's nice to feel wanted and important, but if you've built the situation to the point where they can't get by without you, you're doing them and yourself a big disservice...

Agreed. Take the phone, but only as a safety measure for going to Mexico. Leave the laptop at home and plan for using an Internet Cafe if absolutely necessary.

A former employer of mine used to get pissed whenever I stated I would never answer a cell call while on vacation (this is mid-1990's) and I was told I had to be available. Bullshit, when I'm on vacation I'm relaxing, not working. I also dared them to prove the reception was adequate in the mountains of Arkansas.

 

[Scout101]

And if they want me available 24/7 for work issues, i want to be paid for the time, not using vacation time...

 

[John Picard]

And if they want me available 24/7 for work issues, i want to be paid for the time, not using vacation time...

Ed Zachary.

 

[Holdfast]

And if they want me available 24/7 for work issues, i want to be paid for the time, not using vacation time...

+1

I do occasionally check my work email and voicemail while on holiday (the addiction is too much to break fully, so once every few days or so I find myself logging on), but I never actually reply to either the emails or voicemail. That way, I stay on top of things so there's no unwelcome surprises on return, but it remains someone else's responsibility to actually fix any urgent issues that arise while I'm away. It's actually nice to log in, see the chaos and merrily be able to ignore it and order another daiquiri or whatever. Just one thing, never have your corporate email set up to automatically send read-receipts.

As for the OP's questions, best to check with your cellphone company directly - they'll be able to tell you exactly what happens when you turn the phone on abroad. Often there are some weird and not so wonderful international roaming charges that you may not be aware of.

As for taking a laptop along, I don't see anything odd about that. It's quite nice being able to browse the internet while pool-side. The problem of theft is real though; make sure you don't leave anything unattended/out of sight, esp. if you do take it down to the beach or pool.

 

[Phoenicianknight]

I'd take the laptop, just for the porn ......