Summertime. And the living - for bosses - is easy. But it's not the same for the deputy who has to take the helm.

George W Bush started his holiday in Maine

Some may regard this as a time to shine, a time to prove that they too can stamp their authority on the post. Others may simply regard it as a quiet time of year, a time to keep things ticking over but also to take it easy.

The Deputy PM, John Prescott, who on Monday takes charge now Tony Blair is on holiday, has tried both tacks in previous summer breaks.

In 2000, he arrived at 10 Downing St at 9am sharp to oversee a raft of briefings and announcements designed to keep the media pack busy. But last year he took a far more low-key approach to the job.

The men at number two outside Number 10

This August Mr Prescott may again want to keep his head down, what with rumblings of industrial action on the cards and an increasing clamour to recall Parliament to debate proposals to attack Iraq.

In the US, George W Bush packed his bags last Friday and left Dick Cheney in charge of the day-to-day running of the country.

Although Mr Bush's advisers insisted that it will be a working holiday, the month-long break has sparked both amusement and criticism.

David Letterman devoted one of his talk show's Top 10 lists to why the president needs a holiday. Among the reasons: "It's been what, two weeks since he went fishing?"

Business as usual

But Mr Prescott and Mr Cheney are far from alone. In workplaces all round the country - and indeed abroad - the situation is being repeated.

So how should the deputies' performance be rated?

Do you feel lucky?

Ben Williams, a corporate psychologist, says the sign of a good deputy is that things carry on as usual, that the seam doesn't show.

"A deputy often reflects the qualities of the leader. If you have to suffer a poor deputy over the summer, it is usually not their fault. They have not been properly mentored over the past 365 days."

In the run-up to this summer's World Cup, Michael Owen took over the captaincy while David Beckham nursed his broken foot.

Commentators impressed with how the young striker led the team in part put his success down to the influence of both Beckham and the England coach, Sven Goran Eriksson.

You get a chance to prove that being number two does not mean you're second-best

Cristina Odone

While Owen made it clear that he did not expect to stay in the post for long - at this stage, at least - other deputies seize on their superior's absence as an opportunity to shine.

When Cristina Odone stands in as editor of the New Statesman, she has said that she relishes the chance to impress the powers-that-be.

"You get a chance to prove to yourself and to the world that being number two when they hired you does not mean you're second-best. You get your more than 15 minutes of fame in the spotlight."

'Do no harm'

In the US, George W Bush opted for caution over charisma when he picked his deputy.

Dick Cheney: Ready to step in from behind

Before becoming the vice-president, Mr Cheney had proved himself to be a safe pair of hands during his quarter century in Washington, including a stint as defence secretary for Mr Bush Senior.

The Economist has said that Mr Cheney "fulfils the Hippocratic requirements of a vice-president: 'First, do no harm'."

Surely good advice for any deputy, be they a stand-in prime minister, president, captain, chief executive or editor.

Is your boss away? Let us know your experiences using the form below.

My boss is away, but fortunately I have a very good team under me. I've promised them a huge Black Forest Gateau for Friday if they keep working as hard as they have today.
David Gatenby, Germany

I am the deputy and absolutely love it when I'm charge of myself. Late in, long lunches, extra internet use and leave by 4pm. I wish he would go away more often.
Bella, England

I am my own boss but other bosses like to try and stick their noses into how I run things. I am just finding it difficult telling them to mind their own businesses - in the nicest possible way of course.
The Green Avenger, UK

Unfortunately, the deputy in the IT department where I work got promoted to his position due to his love of motorbikes and not his ability to do the job. When the department head is away, Scott Adams comes to visit us a gets about five years worth of material for his Dilbert cartoons. Life is easier and better when the boss is here as the deputy immediately thinks "Right, I'm in charge. I should be doing something. I'll create some new procedures for the staff to implement" or some other strange request dreamed up with the sole purpose of reminding us who is in charge
Steve, London

I'm away at the moment so can't really comment.
Matt, UK

My boss is away at the moment and I love it, easy days and all the independance that I need. It is also a valuable learning experience should I take over his role in the near future.
Graham, England

I've made it perfectly clear that while the boss is away the troops are not to work too hard. What could be worse than a burnt out team when he gets back?
Andy, London, UK

There are only two people in our business. Myself and my boss. He is away this week, so that leaves me managing me.
John Pancracker, England