Working on vacation voluntarily is certainly not for everyone. After all, a vacation is meant to help you recover from the strain of the job that you're otherwise exposed to all year long. For that reason, working voluntarily on vacation is an option for only a small number of employees to begin with. Especially since working on vacation is only allowed if it doesn't contradict the purpose of a vacation.

Working on vacation voluntarily - What kind of work are you allowed to do?

After all, you're supposed to rest as well as possible during the few vacation days you get each year. Afterward, you should be able to return to your actual job at full strength. As long as the work is unpaid, it can generally be done without any problem.

This also applies, for example, if you lend friends or family members a hand around the house, in the garden or with other chores.

And if you use your vacation to whip your own garden into shape, you're of course free to do that too. Just don't wear yourself out.
Likewise, volunteer work for which you receive at most an expense allowance may be done voluntarily on vacation.

working on vacation voluntarily

Working on vacation voluntarily - What kind of work do bosses frown upon?

If you prefer working on vacation voluntarily to relaxing, you should make sure the work you do doesn't get in the way of the purpose of a vacation. It also shouldn't pose any danger to the employee.

However much you'd like to take on certain jobs voluntarily, you should always carefully assess how much time and effort they require.

If you notice yourself that the effort for voluntary work on vacation is too high, it's better to decide against it, in the interest of your employer. In that case, it's better to recover a little from your main job so you can do it as usual after your vacation.

Work is prohibited if...

  • the work done could jeopardize the employee's performance in their main job after the vacation
  • there is a high risk of serious injury while doing the work
  • the work is done for pay without the employer's knowledge
  • the work requires the same amount of time and effort as the main job
  • the work done stands in the way of the purpose of a vacation