[molbioguy]

Vacation deletion of emails could be workable IF the only things that came across your work email were work-related requests from real people. However, for most people, the separation of work and personal (or pseudo personal) in email is not so complete, and many emails are notifications from automated (no-reply) systems. Deleting messages in these cases may cause more headaches upon return than it's worth.

Being resolute about putting aside work and email while on vacation is a personal responsibility, not an email robot's function. Put up a reasonable out-of-office message and put down the technology if you're on vacation.