The Time-Off Article You Shouldn’t Need to Read

Ok, so the title didn’t keep you away. If you already provide your teams with generous holiday breaks, flexibility, and they come back in the new year feeling refreshed and motivated you can stop reading NOW. Bravo!

If you are still sticking around maybe you need help achieving those goals. For many, the holiday season is already stressful outside of work. While it can be tempting to continue to push through last-minute initiatives and keep the “pedal to the metal,” it is important to understand the downsides of being overworked and stressed. These include decreases in productivity, lower retention rates, and employee frustration. The holidays are a perfect opportunity to take a break from the grind, celebrate accomplishments, reflect, and recharge for the coming year. Here are three tips to give your team the break they deserve.

1. Offer Flexible Schedules

This can include having a part-time work option, as well as a remote work policy. This gives employees the freedom to create their own schedules while reducing the strain they may feel if they must come into the office every day. If you are only able to offer a traditional full-time schedule with paid vacation and sick days, that is fine too. It is important to communicate with your employees that they deserve time off and why it is important. You can do this by sharing stories of how long hours can lead to burnout and what you are doing to prevent this at your company.

2. Provide Paid Time Off

If you have the resources to do so, consider offering paid time off. This can be a terrific way to encourage employees to take time off when they need it without feeling like they are taking a hit to their income. If you do not have the resources to provide paid time off, that is okay. You can still encourage employees to take time off by communicating that they deserve a break and why it is important for their health and well-being.

3. Encourage Disconnecting from Work

Consider creating a disconnecting policy that encourages employees to unplug from work when they are away from the office. This can include turning off all forms of communication, such as smartphones, email, text messages, and voicemails. This helps employees avoid being stressed out and overworked, and it gives them the chance to rest and recharge in their free time.

Giving your team members the break they need is crucial to the health of employees and the organization. There is no single solution that works for everyone, which is why it is important to consider and try strategies like those above. The more options you can provide your team, the more likely they are to take a break when they need to. And the more effective your break policy is, the better your team will feel and perform when they return.

Happy holidays! Now exit out of this and take the break you deserve too.