Poll: One in Five Pack Laptops with Swimsuits

As we sketch out our vacation plans for the summer, I know my laptop will be on the list of things to pack. To visit relatives and friends who live north and south on two trips, I'll be stretching out vacation days by working some of the days we're away. There's some comfort in knowing I'm not alone.

One in five of us brought along laptops on our most recent vacations, according to an AP-Ipso poll. About the same number did some work while on vacation, and checked office messages and/or called in to see how things were going without them.

The reasons vary from because we can—laptops, BlackBerrys, and cell phones make it so easy—to managers' expectations that we will be available, concern about missing key happenings, and, in some cases, pure enjoyment out of staying connected to the office.

We have to be careful here. Few of us are truly indispensable at work, and downtime away from our desks and the chance to fully recharge and reconnect with the people we love are so fleeting. Don't blow it this summer.

If you must check in over your long-scheduled break, here are a few tips to ensure your family doesn't resent your tether to the office:

•  Set limits. Choose a time of day to check in that won't interfere with family plans or outings. Early morning or night. Refrain from checking your email by phone or laptop several times a day, as you may do during a regular work day.

•  Do only necessary work. No more. This is your vacation, not a conference or a trade show. Spend time with your family. You won't regret it.

• Be unobtrusive. Don't check emails during lunch, or on the beach, or in the midst of conversations with family and friends. That's just plain rude and grist for a whole other post.

The good new is, we're still fitting in time for reading between writing emails and checking message, the poll says.  Seven in 10 women said they read a book during their last vacation. So did half of men. All work and no play are definitely not good for the soul.

How about an informal Yahoo! Tech poll? How will you manage your electronic connection to work during vacation this summer?

LINK: Poll: A fifth vacation with laptops