Vacations improve staff productivity

Feeling guilty about spending time away from the office? You may be doing your company a favor. Some 51% of executives surveyed by Accountemps, Menlo Park, Calif., a specialized staffing service for temporary accounting, finance, and bookkeeping professionals, maintain that employees are more productive after a vacation than before one.

"When workloads are heavy, people often avoid taking time off for fear it might prompt employers to question their commitment," notes Max Messmer, chairman of Accountemps and author of Managing Your Career For Dummies. "But even when staffing levels are lean, companies recognize that having no breaks quickly drains productivity and leads to burnout. As a result, today's employees may be encouraged to take periodic vacations and recharge."

Messmer adds that limiting work-related interruptions can be the key to reenergizing while away. "Technology makes it easier for employees to stay connected with the office during a vacation. While some contact may be inevitable, staying too involved can negate the positive effects of a break." Messmer offers the following suggestions for maximizing vacation plans:

Select the right time. Schedule a break during a traditionally quiet time in your office. For example, the week of July 4 might be less hectic than usual because clients and customers may be taking time off. Submit your request early to get the dates you want.

Make your desk an open book. Let at least one colleague know where key information is kept and how your active files are organized.

Take advantage of technology. Use your out-of-office functions to inform people of an alternative contact who has been briefed on your projects and can assist people in your absence.

Assign a decisionmaker. Designate someone whose judgment you trust to make decisions while you are away. Try not to second-guess that person's choices when you return, or your designee will learn to contact you instead of using his or her own judgment.

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