According to studies, vacations and taking a break can lead to happier work life, increased productivity, boost motivation and energy, increase job satisfaction, and make you less prone to burnout. Additionally, people who take holidays and downtime end up returning to work more energized and ready to tackle problems, which opens up other opportunities for them including a raise or a promotion.
Deposit Photos | According to the U.S Travel Association, 52 percent of the employees end up not using all their annual vacation days
Think of it as a double-edged sword. Yet according to the U.S Travel Association, 52 percent of the employees end up not using all their annual vacation days. Their reasoning? Fear of seeming replaceable in the eyes of employers or their discomfort in relying upon their colleagues during their absence.
Plan for, and ask for a leave ASAP
According to home-sharing service Vrbo, the first movers and early planners always get the best deals and options for their vacation spots in terms of hotels, vacation homes, car rentals, dinner reservations, spa treatment bookings, etc. Additionally, planning for the vacation beforehand also gives you the chance to delegate and organize your work before you leave so that there is less hassle upon your return to deal with.
Choose Your Colleagues To Cover For You
Deposit Photos | When asking for a leave from your manager, it is also important to talk about who would be taking over your responsibilities in your absence
When asking for a leave from your manager, it is also important to talk about who would be taking over your responsibilities in your absence. This not only gives you the opportunity to appoint reliable people of your choice but if you run a department, it is also an opportunity to empower the people in your team to take on more responsibilities which, in turn, would make it easier in the future when deciding on specific task teams or choosing the best candidate for a promotion.
Compose an out-of-office message
Think of it as a voicemail message, but more specifically for the convenience of your customers and business partners. Make sure to mention the dates you will be gone and who to contact in your absence with specific inquiries. If your job description includes repeated inquiries like ‘’How do I sign up for the gold membership?’’, make sure to link such inquiries to a FAQ page or website to reduce the workload and unnecessary inquiries on your return.
Set your Vacation Rules and Schedule
Deposit Photos | It might be worthwhile to create a checklist of things you need to accomplish in the workplace, even when you’re on vacation
It might be worthwhile to create a checklist of things you need to accomplish in the workplace, even when you’re on vacation. This can include taking regular briefings from your colleagues of the activities in your absence or taking pre-appointed meetings on the phone or through video conferencing at your vacation home. Remember- you are on vacation to relax with your friends and family so ensure that your work does not get in the way of downtime, which is why it would be wise to set rules and working hours beforehand.
