Photo by NataliaDeriabina from iStock.
Who doesn’t love a carefree day spent in the sun with your kids, friends or even some spare time spent alone? For most people, this sounds like a dream, but for others, thinking of time away from work may be anxiety-inducing.
As we head into summer, not only is vacation important for overall happiness and well-being, but it also offers professional benefits. Time away can actually increase workplace satisfaction and productivity. Most employees return from vacation feeling rested with increased focus and engagement. Still, the majority of Canadians don’t use their vacation time — less than a third reported taking all of their allocated time off in 2024, according to an ADP Canada survey. And women are less likely to use their vacation time than men. With significant professional barriers already stacked against working women, there are many reasons why they may not take all of their vacation time, including feelings of guilt, an overly heavy workload, concerns about how colleagues and superiors may perceive it and the worry that it could hinder their career advancement. Taking time off isn’t solely the responsibility of the employee. Employers must also foster a culture where stress-free time off is possible and encouraged.
Three benefits to using your vacation time
Avoiding burnout
Not taking vacations can contribute to burnout. In a time when burnout levels are at an all-time high, taking prolonged breaks can help keep it at bay.
With the recent surge in work-from-home opportunities, research has shown that remote workers struggle to disconnect from work and are less likely to take a vacation than office workers. The flexibility that comes with remote work may actually lead to an increased workload, which can quietly contribute to burnout. In an article published by The Globe and Mail, Calgary-based organizational psychologist and podcaster Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett explains that women, in particular, are more likely to excessively prove their availability and accessibility in fear of losing the flexibility of working from home. As employers, it’s essential to acknowledge the risks associated with this mentality — like burnout — and promote the right to disconnect through uninterrupted vacation time and clear working hours.
Job satisfaction and well-being
Vacations offer opportunities for rest and relaxation, which, in turn, allow you to get back to work feeling more motivated, creative and appreciative of what you do. Positive work cultures that promote time off can also make employees feel more appreciated and supported outside of the office, leading to more job satisfaction. A Michigan State University article reported that 70 per cent of workers feel more satisfied at work when they take regular vacations, and there’s no denying that job satisfaction boosts work productivity.
Increased productivity
Returning to work rejuvenated enhances your problem-solving skills, focus and creativity. With less stress, you reduce your chances of getting sick, demonstrate more engagement and are better equipped to handle the challenges of work. Employees tend to have more energy and a more positive outlook post-vacation – vacations can increase performance by up to 80 per cent, according to researcher Mark Rosekind.
For leaders
As a leader, it’s just as important for you to take vacation — your well-being and productivity will benefit, too. Modelling this is an excellent way to create a culture where taking time off is viewed as a positive thing. Just as much as employees must take their time off, employers must ensure they feel comfortable and encouraged to do so. Review your policies and remind your employees that they have a right to disconnect and take all of their allocated vacation time. Ensure sufficient coverage so time away doesn’t add stress, and a little bit of enthusiasm and support for employees’ vacations goes a long way in showing your team that taking a vacation is a wonderful thing.
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