Workers rue not taking more days

Employees planning personal travel this holiday season may want to tack on a few extra days, suggests a survey developed by OfficeTeam, Menlo Park, Calif., a staffing service specializing in skilled administrative professionals. Forty-three percent of workers polled admit that the biggest mistake they made with their last vacation was not taking enough time off.

"Employees fearful of falling behind on projects or not seeming like team players often put off vacations or limit breaks to long weekends," points out Diane Domeyer, executive director of OfficeTeam. "Lean staffing levels in recent years have left many professionals with increased pressure at work, but this makes the need to recharge more vital than ever."

Domeyer notes that collaborating with coworkers can help staff members rest easy while they are away. "Inform colleagues of the status of key projects before you leave and designate a point person in your absence. Also, consider which tasks a temporary or project professional could assume." She offers these tips for getting the most benefit from vacations:

Use history as your guide. Consider your last vacation, including what you did, how much time you took, and whether or not you felt reinvigorated upon your return. This experience should serve as a basis for planning your next break.

Resist the urge to check in. Change your voicemail and e-mail to let colleagues know you are away. Do not contact the office unless it is necessary. The more connected to work you are, the less time you have to unwind.

Avoid scheduling too many meetings for the day you return. You will need time to address immediate issues, catch-up on e-mail, and get updates from coworkers on the status of projects.

Seize the day. Do not wait until you are in dire need of a vacation to take one; regular breaks can keep you motivated all year long.

COPYRIGHT 2006 Society for the Advancement of Education
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning