Working Out Summer Vacations

Community Manager — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 13:37:00 GMT

Summer officially kicked off at the end of June which means summer vacation season is upon us. With two-thirds of all employees planning a summer break from work, coordinating vacation schedules to maximize employee downtime while maintaining productivity is a must. Translation: Not everyone can head to the beach at the same time.

As we've discussed in previous blog posts, time off from work is crucial for morale and reenergizing workers. A smart vacation schedule can prevent an empty-office syndrome in August when productivity grinds to a halt and can also keep employees from feeling overworked while colleagues are off recreating.

Having a transparent vacation policy keeps employers and employees on the same page. Clearly articulating policies and keeping track of days off is key. So is formalizing responsibility for work delegated during absences.

Here are some tips and resources to help coordinate a vacation program. Ideas to consider include:

Figure out the maximum number of people that can be off at one time.
Require vacation time to be booked a set time in advance.
Reward seniority if too many employees want the same weeks off.
When summer is your busy time, consider offering bonuses or incentive programs for working the entire summer.
Schedule vacation blackout dates (days that nobody can take off).
Offer vacation alternatives, such as three day weekends rather than larger blocks of time.

Looking for more assistance in creating comprehensive vacation policies for your work place? Read Developing Vacation and Sick Leave Policies and How to Set a Workplace Vacation Policy.

How does your workplace avoid vacation conflicts? Do you have tips for maintaining productivity during the summer vacation months? Share your thoughts here and on the Beyond Folders Community's Facebook and Twitter pages.

by Candie Harris

Beyond Folders : summer vacation, energy levels, productivity

Working Out Summer Vacations