It's no secret that many American workers don't take full advantage of their paid time off (PTO). A study from the American Travel Association found that over a quarter of PTO days went unused in 2018, and more than half of employees reported working during their days off. This is often in direct conflict with a company's wishes. Even employers requiring vacation time or unlimited days off may find employees reluctant to use all their PTO.
One reason why? Company leaders might need to set a better example. Executives and managers often feel guilty or worried about the health of their company when they are out of the office. As a result, they check in on their teams during vacation, leave unused days off on the table or even work while they are sick. An appropriate work-life balance—including disconnecting from work during a vacation—is key to establishing a healthy company culture. Here are five ways company leaders and employees alike can make the most of their time off:
1. Recognize the importance of rest. Taking time off is not only beneficial for personal wellbeing—it's also vital for professional performance in the long run. Rest and rejuvenation can enhance productivity, creativity and overall job satisfaction. Remind yourself and your workforce that everyone deserves and needs time to recharge.
2. Lead by example. Many employers want employees to disconnect and recharge during their PTO fully. Still, managers and executives sometimes need to set the tone for this behavior. Encourage managers and executives to unplug during their PTO so other employees feel empowered to do the same.
3. Communicate expectations. Before you take PTO, communicate how the team should handle projects, meetings and other tasks in your absence. Designate someone to handle relevant needs and meet vital deadlines while you are away, so you can feel confident that work is progressing. Remember to set up email and voicemail away messages, limiting your need to respond during PTO. If you are tempted to check email during vacation, consider silencing notifications or removing email and messaging apps briefly.
4. Set boundaries during your time away. Once your PTO begins, engaging in plenty of work-related activities can be tempting—even if your colleagues don't know you're working. Ask your friends and family to hold you accountable to a "no work" vacation, including reading industry news, checking messages or returning phone calls. PTO is a time to engage your brain differently. Connect with family, dive into hobbies or engage in new activities to help you recharge and ease burnout.
5. Bookend your trip with no-meeting days. Sometimes a vacation feels like more trouble than it's worth. Many leaders and employees feel so overwhelmed by getting ahead and finishing tasks that they often save some work to do on vacation. It's also common to check email on vacation to avoid returning to a cluttered inbox and intense work expectations. To prevent this, plan some no-meeting days on both ends of your trip. Use the time to get ahead on work, communicate your expectations and catch up on new tasks when you return.