Taking too little time for vacation a big mistake





Employees planning personal travel this summer may want to tack on a few extra days, a new survey suggests. Forty-three percent of workers polled said the biggest mistake they made with their last vacation was taking insufficient time off.


The survey was developed by OfficeTeam, a leading staffing service specializing in highly skilled administrative professionals. It was conducted by responses from 571 men and women 18 years of age or older.


Survey respondents were asked, "Which one of the following was the biggest mistake you made when you took your last vacation from work?"


Forty-three percent said they didn’t take enough time off. In addition to the 17 percent who couldn’t get their mind off work, 8 percent said they checked in with the office too much, and 7 percent said they didn’t prepare or organize their work well prior to leaving. Two percent didn’t know or didn’t answer, while 23 percent replied it was something else or none of the above.


"Employees fearful of falling behind on projects or not seeming like team players often put off vacations or limit breaks to long weekends," said 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 you rest easier while 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."


Domeyer offered 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 on 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’re away. Don’t contact the office unless it’s 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’ll need time to address immediate issues, catch up on e-mail and get updates from coworkers on the status of projects.


Seize the day. Don’t wait until you’re in dire need of a vacation to take one. Regular breaks can keep you motivated all year long.



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