Managers take the office to the beach

Before the days of new technology, managers simply left a coat on the back of their chair to give the impression they were still in charge while on holiday. Now they take the whole office with them.

Before the days of new technology, managers simply left a coat on the back of their chair to give the impression they were still in charge while on holiday. Now they take the whole office with them.

Life may be a beach for Britain's top bosses - better pay and extra perks - but it seems they cannot switch off from work when they are on vacation. One in five managers takes a laptop computer on holiday compared with just one in 10 two years ago, according to a study which is published today by the Institute of Management.

Even fewer managers could bear to leave their mobile phone at home, with 60 per cent of bosses packing it in their luggage compared with less than half two years ago.

But not all these managers are staying "wired up" to the office out of a love for the job. A quarter of those polled said they were not entirely happy but felt it was something they ought to do. A third said they did so to help keep their peace of mind, while 14 per cent said they hoped it would demonstrate their commitment to the job.

Mary Chapman, the institute's director general, said: "For some, keeping in touchmay simply be a reflection of their interest in their work, or that they feel more relaxed knowing they can be contacted in an emergency.

"It would be more worrying if this proved to be a new brand of 'presenteeism'. Instead of the coat left on the back of the chair, the mobile phone or laptop is taken as a sign that they are still there."