In our American culture, we prioritize hustle, hard work, and neglect rest. It is no wonder employees are reporting more symptoms of burnout and unease within their work-life balance. Increased burnout and exhaustion can lead to issues like quiet quitting, low productivity, and stress. There are multiple benefits associated with an employee using their PTO. These benefits are why employees should be encouraged to take advantage of their vacation time to relax and enjoy life away from the office. Vacation helps make employees happier, healthier, and more productive.
What is Burnout?
Burnout is an emotional overload from a workplace that can cause the symptoms of extreme physical and emotional exhaustion. The WHO (World Health Organization) describes burnout as a result of “chronic workplace stress.” Burnout can take a very negative toll on the company and the attitude of a team. Symptoms of burnout can take weeks and even years for someone to recover fully from, so it is essential to try and prevent it as much as possible.
Why Are Employees Not Taking PTO?
In some instances, employees aren’t taking their work benefit of paid time off simply because they feel they can’t, or fear they don’t have the support on their team to help with their workload. A lot of times, taking time off of work can mean that you may have heaps of work waiting for you upon your return. That thought alone can discourage employees from fully disconnecting on a day off. Or perhaps the employee in question has never seen proper time off modeled to them or has felt guilted by peers when taking days off.
How to Address Employees Who Don’t Use Their PTO?
As an employer or a manager, it is essential to show your team that you can also take time away from work to rest and recharge. It is also necessary to ensure that employees who are not taking time off work have the support they need. Whether that looks like making sure your organization has a time off plan or just regular reminders that time off should be used. A time off plan can look like distributing the workload to other employees during a vacation so the workload returning isn’t a deterrent in an employee’s PTO request.
Why Does Using an Employee’s Paid Time Off Matter?
An employee’s PTO or vacation time is a benefit on the job. When considering a career move or a job offer, time off is a significant factor in an employee’s decision. Not using one of the conditions in the job offer initially presented to them is like leaving out money from their paycheck. Vacations & days off are important for an employee’s mental well-being, physical health, creativity, and productivity. Good mental and physical health of your employees benefits both the employer and the employee. Happy employees who can take time off are more likely to be retained by the employer. Overworked employees are more likely to have an increased risk for illnesses and other health problems.
As this new year is just beginning, take some time to think about your workplace culture with PTO. Do you notice employees frequently taking time away to de-stress and unplug? Perhaps this is an area you can improve to help your employees combat burnout and ensure they have the support they need. By encouraging employees to utilize their PTO, you can increase the chance of employee retention, productivity, and the overall health of your team.