Do you shut your alarm clock every morning, thinking how great it would be to only wake up for no less than $10,000 a day ala former supermodel Linda Evangelista? Too far-fetched a fantasy? Hardly. Even U.S President Barack Obama managed to win a Nobel Peace Prize while he was asleep.
If you have been staggering into the office like one of George A. Romero’s zombies, counting down the days to your next pay cheque, chances are you’re burned out. Perhaps from constantly pushing paper and pencils around or even typing gibberish into blank word documents pretending to look busy at work. Which is why you should consider planning for a holiday months in advance. That ought to keep you motivated as you surf for the best travel deals during work hours.
But obviously, there is a residing fear that taking time off work during these rocky times would find your bronzed Adonis-like self expendable when you return from vacation. So what are some of the best ironclad reasons you can give to get your leave application approved without repercussions?
How about your need to head to Europe for a two-week jaunt because you’d be buying out the cheaper designer goods which will boost the economy and in turn help your European-based headquarters? This would, no doubt, illustrate to the upper management your ability to think strategically and long-term.
Even better, show your responsible side by applying for more leave days in advance, citing that you just know you’re not going to have enough fun on your vacation. Or demonstrate some emotion quotient by appealing to your boss’ humane side. Explain that after giving the company some of the best years of your life, you’ve realised fluorescent tube light tanning is no longer working for you. Neither is the computer screen glare giving your skin the vitamin D you require. Lolling around in the sun doing nothing is just what the doctor has prescribed.
Sweeten the deal by including in your finest handwriting on your leave form, “Please don’t fire me.” Add a smiley face for good measure.
Of course, once your leave has been approved and your suitcases packed, you mustn’t neglect your colleagues who would be slogging their butts off, covering for you. Stock up the pantry with a few snacks from the holiday destination which you had partied up a storm in. This will “keep their mouths shut”, a marketing executive said to me while purchasing her holiday souvenirs.
Remember, even though acquisitions and organisational restructuring are still very much a reality for many, there’s no point in skipping vacation just to keep your job intact. You probably shouldn’t fabricate a story or come up with excuses to justify a well-deserved break either. After all, how valuable are you really when working under extreme stress? Besides, the business will not fall apart without you.
But of course, there was a recent incident where a PR firm ungraciously fired one of its executives because he wanted to take a day off for personal reasons. The firm hadn’t taken too kindly to the fact that the employee placed family over work as his topmost priority that day. It’s no wonder why everyone panics over taking time off work.
Yet almost every HR practitioner I’ve asked over the last year about what they love doing in their spare time listed spending quality time with their families and taking time out to travel as their biggest desires in life. Is it any surprise then that vacation time is a highly valued commodity at work?
This reality hit me when I was sitting on a beach in Bali, looking at one of the most gorgeous sunsets I’ve ever seen. At that moment, I was reminded how important it is for our minds and bodies to tune out now and then.
But you should take note, there’s no point being on holiday if you are seated on the deck chair with your eyes and hands glued to your Blackberry or iPhone.
Take time out to relax and recharge yourself for the coming months. Now that sounds pretty awesome, isn’t it? Unless you come back and find your overflowing inbox waiting for you.
Come to think of it, I need a vacation from my vacation. You know how exhausting it is to loll around doing nothing all day long.
xielil@humanresourcesonline.net
