In 2026 the digital association Bitkom asked employed people with summer holiday plans whether they would be reachable for work. Two thirds, 66 percent, said they would be. The share was 67 percent in 2025 and 66 percent in 2024. The most common reason, given by 53 percent of those reachable, was what colleagues expected. The expectations of superiors came second, at 47 percent. Among those on holiday over Christmas, the share who stayed reachable fell from 71 percent in 2019 to 43 percent in 2025. Bitkom recommends clear rules: Regeln zur Erreichbarkeit für den Fall der Fälle schaffen Klarheit für alle Beteiligten. Rules on reachability in case of need create clarity for everyone involved.