{
  "id": 346256,
  "title": "In defense of going to the office in August: ‘There are no bosses and nobody interrupts me’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/in-defense-of-going-to-the-office-in-august-there-are-no-bosses-and",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-09T04:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "El Pais English",
    "slug": "el-pais-english",
    "url": "https://english.elpais.com/economy-and-business/2026-08-09/in-defense-of-going-to-the-office-in-august-there-are-no-bosses-and-nobody-interrupts-me.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Each season, style magazines guide readers on how to dress for summer in the office and survive the commute. EL PAÍS journalist Amaia Odriozola suggested keeping a knitted cardigan handy, noting that office-set television shows often feature gags about women freezing at work due to the air conditioning being turned up to maximum, reflecting a universal experience for women in corporate life: while it’s hot outside, the workplace feels like the Arctic. Men, too, debate whether shorts are appropriate for work, with the answer often depending on the behavior of others around them and their own boldness.\n\nDespite managerial rhetoric encouraging risk-taking, not everyone dreads going to the office in July and August. The relaxed atmosphere, changes in rhythm, and fewer meetings contribute to an environment some salaried employees prefer. A recent study by economists David César Heymann and Eduard Alcobé found that the decline in seasonality of tourism spending is partly due to increased labor flexibility after the pandemic, allowing workers to take advantage of competitive prices, less crowding, and a more comfortable tourist experience. This shift in consumer behavior may reflect a desire for more flexibility in the workplace as well.\n\nJournalist Gonzalo Aguirre reflects that he follows an important rule to avoid the stress of his boss's absence: \"Find out which days my boss takes vacation so I don’t have to work when he’s around.\" The absence of a boss, along with a laid-back atmosphere and lighter workload, creates an environment that feels more like a vacation in itself. María Torralba, who works for a multinational company, notes that while seasonal patterns are generally respected in Spain, working with international markets means that the summer vibe is not unusual. She explains that there’s a certain energy in the air: fewer people in the office, easier connections, and more meaningful conversations, leading to new ideas and opportunities. Some workplaces even adopt unusual customs during this time, such as sharing snacks mid-morning and employees arriving in shorts or flip-flops, signaling a shift towards a more relaxed work environment. However, not everyone finds summer euphoria in the office. Some, like Mar Cabra, a CEO of a consultancy specializing in mental health and work, find it challenging to be productive when surrounded by others enjoying themselves or on vacation, feeling a disconnect from her own work. For her, summer is a period for reflection, allowing for new perspectives on work and life.",
  "summary": "With no meetings and more flexible schedules, more workers are choosing to travel during the off-season: this month at the office is too good to pass up",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}