I won't really categorically disagree. But, if I'm hanging in my hotel room and surfing or whatever, if I can point someone in a direction or answer a quick question, I'm not sure that's wrong. I assure you I'll go back to my book-reading or movie-watching right after.
We’re not saving lives, we’re just moving bits.
Edit @ghaff: Love the CEO anecdote in your reply, I’d work for that person! Priorities set properly.
Though to your C-suite comment, an engineering director at a fairly high profile SV company was telling me that they hired a senior comms person who just couldn't deal with the fact that the CEO would take vacations where they literally unplugged--and ended up quitting.
> The FDIC endorses the concept of a vacation policy that allows active officers and employees to be absent from their duties for an uninterrupted period of no less than two weeks. During this time, their duties and responsibilities should be assumed by other employees. This basic control has proven to be an effective internal safeguard in preventing fraud. In addition, such a policy is viewed as a benefit to the well-being of the employees and can be a valuable aid to the institution's overall training program.