Vacation smart: Unplug, unwind and be unashamed
Ceridian LifeWorks reminds employees to take their vacations as seriously as they take their jobs
MINNEAPOLIS (July 08, 2008) – School’s out, the weather’s warm and Americans are preparing for their summer vacations. Given today’s concerns with the economy, job security and overall well-being, it’s more important than ever for employees to make the most of their time off from work. Unplugging from the office can be tough, but in the end those who do return to their jobs refreshed and ready to be more productive.
Ceridian LifeWorks, a leading provider of health and productivity solutions for businesses, offers participants a 24-hour call center for health and wellness, work-life balance and financial questions and issues. LifeWorks has experienced a sharp increase in requests for personal support, guidance and resources related to anxiety, depression, stress management, credit management and emergency financial resources over the last three years. When comparing 2008 data with that from 2005, there has been a 400 percent increase in anxiety and stress management calls, a 350 percent increase in calls about depression and a six-fold increase in the need for emergency financial resources.
“Stressful issues surround today’s employees and it’s much more difficult to separate work and home now a days,” says Ceridian LifeWorks Senior Vice President and General Manager, Zachary Meyer. “By truly disconnecting from the office while on vacation, people have the opportunity to re-establish that barrier, reconnect with their family and themselves, and relax and rejuvenate before returning to work. Both employers and employees benefit from recharging during their time off. They return to work more prepared and able to tackle job challenges.”
Ceridian LifeWorks offers the following tips for maximizing your vacation time, minimizing stress and returning to work in a better state of mind:
* Give it time. Usually, the feeling of being on vacation takes about 24 hours to really sink in. Plan, if possible, to take a full week or more whenever you can. You will be better and your employer will benefit from you being rested and fresh on the job.
* Leave your business books at home. Unless you are real biz book junkie, avoid reading management books on the beach. Curl up with a good mystery or biography to help you think about topics other than work.
* Get some sleep. Take advantage of the vacation time and turn off alarm clocks. Use them only to get out the door to do something fun and non-work related.
* Plan ahead. To maximize your relaxation time, prepare itineraries, activities and travel plans before departing. Avoid wasting precious vacation time on booking hotels, boat trips and tours while traveling.
* Set office contact rules. The “working vacation” seems to be America’s new favorite oxymoron. Don’t let it become yours. Tell people how to reach you, but be clear that they should call only in case of emergency.
* Leave your Blackberry and laptop at home. If that’s not possible, shut them off and leave them in your hotel room when you are out enjoying a relaxing day by the pool or on a tour.
* Throw your worries out the door. Vacation time can feel like it goes by twice as fast as a regular workweek. Remember that your job is about months and years of accomplishments. One week away won’t hurt your career. In fact, it will help you come back refreshed and energized.
* Anticipate dilemmas. Determine what might stress you out if it happened when you are away. Take proactive steps as far as a month in advance to help avert the unexpected.
* Use it up. Do your best to use all of your allotted vacation days. Time off is given to employees as a job benefit. Take advantage of the opportunity for a little R and R.
Source: Ceridian
