Opinion: It’s time to take a break

A meme has been circulating on my social media feeds that’s a bit funny on the first read and pretty tragic with another pass. It compares European and American out-of-office messages.

While workers across the pond might say, “I’m away camping for the summer. Please email back in September,” a message from the States may read, “I have left the office for two hours to undergo kidney surgery, but you can reach me on my cell anytime.”

Exaggerated? Sure. But that hits a little close to home, doesn’t it?

Many European nations have government-mandated paid leave. German workers get at least 24 days a year, employees in Spain get at least 30 and the French get 25 days annually that kick in a month after starting a job. We don’t have a system like that. Paid days off vary widely, but the average U.S. business offers two weeks. 

Even with fewer days, Americans don’t typically use all their time off. The U.S. Travel Association found in 2021, we left an average of 4.6 paid days unused. That is down from 2020’s 5.6 unused days. 

So much changed about the way we work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Flexibility allowed us to juggle a change to lifestyles, but it also further blurred the lines of home and office, work and play. It was a time of reflection and realigning priorities, but the “Great Resignation” took millions of workers out of the labor market with more work to be done. And not to mention the emotional and physical toll the past two years have taken.

More than two-thirds of us feel at least somewhat burned out, according to market research firm Destinations Analysts. A Capitol One report found less than half of business owners took a vacation last year, with 62% reporting feeling mentally exhausted and working longer hours.

So, what are we waiting for? Isn’t it time for a break?

U.K.-based software company Kimble Applications surveyed American workers and found four main reasons vacations are avoided: They can cause stress as work piles up, the boss doesn’t like it, technology makes it hard to unplug and they fear derailing a career.

An article from Fortune magazine earlier this year outlined some of the reasons vacations should not be avoided: breaks improve decision-making skills, health and employee retention.

“Now, more than ever, we are dealing with elevated levels of stress, anxiety, fear, and frustration due to uncertainty and change,” says Eric M. Bailey, president of consulting firm Bailey Strategic Innovation Group, in the article. “As so many things are changing around us and so much of our world is uncertain, our brains are carrying a higher cognitive load as we try to make sense of our environment. We are tired. We are burned out. We are exhausted. We need a vacation.”

Times of great disruption are perfect for asking questions about what’s important and shifting your life to ensure your goals become a reality. Perhaps a vacation is not a goal, but rather leaving the office by 5 p.m., going on a walk over lunch or taking a long weekend every now and then. This takes a shift in mindset that such recharging moments don’t take from our work productivity, but in fact add to it.

If vacations are the goal, we need to do better as leaders of setting an example by taking our own vacations and celebrating time off. If you conduct quarterly check-ins, this could be a great addition to the evaluation: When’s your next vacation? How can I support you making that happen? 

Vacations shouldn’t be seen as a bonus; they should be seen as a must. Prioritizing yourself and your team is a worthwhile investment. There’s no glory in burnout.

I’ve got vacations on my mind because I’m preparing for one this month. I’m grateful for the ability to disconnect and plan to take full advantage of it. 

So, when’s your next vacation?

Springfield Business Journal Executive Editor Christine Temple can be reached at ctemple@sbj.net.