paid time off | Journey

We are vacation deprived. It’s true. According to the 2011 Vacation Deprivation Study by Expedia, Americans earn less and take less than half the vacation time that Europeans do and still leave an average of three unused vacation days every year.

Using vacation time seems to be a lost privilege among North American workers when in fact, it should be seen as a vital part, not only for your well-being, but also for your career. Vacations are essential to help you relax and balance the multiple demands in your life.

Reboot and Recharge

Workers who take regular time off from work are less likely to experience burnout. We all feel the stress and weight of our workload, and a vacation can seem like one of the worst things you could do for your company and co-workers. Most U.S. workers still take work with them on vacation in one form or another. Never the less, you could be causing more problems in the long run by not taking time off.

A vacation free from work can help you refresh your mind and gain a new perspective on work-related situations. If you make the most and enjoy your vacation, you can be surprised at what you’ll discover about your projects when you step away from the circumstances. You’ll also be able to come back with more vigor and passion when you spend a few days away from it all.

Health and Happiness

Taking vacations can have a big impact on your overall health and well-being. A study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information found that after three days of vacation, their subjects’ physical complaints and quality of sleep and mood had improved. The improvements were still present five weeks after they returned from work.

Spending time with loved ones can also help keep relationships strong. Strengthening those bonds will ensure you have help support during stressful times. And having close family and friends will help you enjoy the good times even more.

You may be new to a job, or just be a few years into one, and lack the funds or vacation time to spend. However, you don’t have to spend a lot of money and go out of the country, sunbathe at the beach, ski down the highest mountains, or relax at the fanciest lodges. There are several places you can go and get the same benefits on a tank of gas and a fixed budget.

Become a Mean, Green Working Machine

Vacations are also known to improve job performance. If you experience burnout, you’ll start to slack on your job duties and put more pressure on your co-workers and managers to pick up your slack. A lack of vacation time can be like a lack of sleep. Less sleep can affect your ability to think clearly, act decisively, process information, and react quickly. Having too few personal days can have the same affect at work. The same NCBI study suggest the physical benefits that come from vacation can lead to increased quality of work on the job.

It can be easy to think that since you’re new to a job or have only been with an employer for a few years that you need to keep working to impress your managers and stay on their good side. But the dangers of holding off on vacation time can not only damage yourself, but also your employer. What are some of your best vacation ideas and how did they make you feel?

Coming back to work after taking some time off is never fun, especially if you’re coming back after a fabulous vacation. But, as sure as the morning sun rises each day, going back to work is inevitable. What you do before you go on your paid time off however, will be the difference between coming back to a mountain of work and sliding back into your normal work routine with ease.

Recently, I had to take some time off for a tonsillectomy. I know, not necessarily a stay at the beach, but still a planned event that required a number of necessary days off from work. So, I made a plan ahead of time to get as much work done as possible so I wouldn’t be bombarded with projects when I came back and my co-workers didn’t hate me for pushing work onto their already full plates. When you have a scheduled vacation or any other upcoming event that requires time off from work, try following these tips to help your transition be an easy one.

Work ahead. If you work in a job where you are able to work ahead on tasks, do so. Don’t procrastinate and wait until the last minute to complete them. Figure out task deadlines that need to be completed while you’re out and those that are due when you first come back, then make sure they are done before you leave. This will ensure that your co-workers don’t have to add your additional work to their heavy workloads. If you can’t work ahead on job assignments, make sure you keep your scheduled paid time off on your boss’s radar and co-workers’ minds so they aren’t surprised when it’s time for you to leave.

Create points of contact. It’s always good to assign someone to be the point person on specific tasks in case anyone outside your department has questions while you’re away. Create a cheat sheet for the project officers you’ve assigned tasks to help them easily access information. A cheat sheet should include background information on tasks, where they can find file folders if necessary, deadlines on tasks you were unable to meet prior to your leave, and important phone numbers.

Inform those who need to know. Make sure you let your department and contacts know the dates you will be unavailable. This will help keep the lines of communication open and allow questions or concerns to be addressed prior to your time away from work. Also, create an assigned task list with the name of the project officer to give to your supervisor to keep them apprised of who is working on what. If you work with people outside of your department, let them know who will be able to help them on specific items in your absence. Always remember to leave an out-of-office message on your e-mail and voice mail so you don’t leave people wondering why you haven’t responded.

Leave an emergency number. It’s always a good idea to leave an emergency number in case something comes up. Most times, your co-workers will value your time away from the office and will not bother you. But, if a crisis happens in your absence, it shows great consideration and dedication to your team if they can contact you if needed. If you’re concerned about being contacted often, set expectations that have been approved by your supervisor on when co-workers can call.

Preparing a plan before you go on your scheduled leave from work and completing the necessary steps outlined above will help ensure your transition back to work is a smooth one. Not to mention a smooth work environment for your co-workers who have to help you in your absence. Plus, when it’s time for your co-workers to take time off from work, they may follow your example and remember how you prepared.

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