i got a message from my manager while on vacation last month. They said there's a mandatory meeting set for the following week. I was at home in Mumbai, trying to unwind after a long shift. It felt frustrating knowing I couldn't fully disconnect, even for a short break. I'd hoped for some time off, but it's clear these expectations are just part of the job. The meeting involved teams from our Stockholm office. I had to scramble to set reminders and adjust my plans. I felt the pressure to be engaged even though I was supposed to be resting. That moment highlighted how rarely breaks feel truly like breaks here. tl;dr: mandatory meetings during vacation are common