One in four managers thinks it's OK to call their workers while they're on holiday, according to a new report.

A study of 2,000 employers and employees revealed millions of staff should be prepared a call from the boss this summer - unless they are as far away as the Maldives or the Caribbean.

The report found that the majority of bosses would be happy to disturb an employee's holiday within the EU, adopting the attitude of 'he's only in France, give him a call'.

It also emerged one in three bosses reckon staff should 'expect' to be called on holiday if they haven't tied up loose ends at work before flying.

Additionally, more than one in ten managers think staff who have a company mobile phone should always take calls on holiday.

Greg Dawson, Director of Corporate Communications for Virgin Atlantic, which commissioned the report, said: 'Most people hate being disturbed whilst on holiday.

'If you are on the beach or by the pool relaxing with your friends and family and your boss rings it can fill you with dread.

'Whether you are contactable on holiday depends hugely on your job and your role within the company.

'This poll has revealed the further away you travel the least likely you are to get harassed by irate managers, so it pays to venture far afield.'

The study also found four out of ten managers are much more likely to ring an employee if they have not travelled too far away. Holidaying in Devon, the Lake District or Cornwall means you can expect a call whereas very few bosses would disturb a holiday in New Zealand, the Caribbean or Thailand.

14 percent of employers have even telephoned a worker to reprimand them whilst they are away on annual leave. Nearly a quarter of adults (23 percent) said they feel they don't get paid enough to justify having their holiday disturbed by their employer.

But it seems Brits don't help themselves, with the typical holidaymaker checking their phone up to 12 times a day, mainly out of habit than necessity. In a typical two-week holiday, the average adult sends nine work-related texts or emails.

(Read by Lee Hannon. Lee Hannon is a journalist at the China Daily Website.)

點擊查看更多雙語新聞

(Agencies)