Taking vacation time is an important part of your overall wellness
Studies show that only 27% of working Canadians take all of their allotted vacation days. If vacation time is so important, why are so few Canadians taking their full entitlement?
Why aren't Canadians taking vacation? There is a phenomenon known as the “time-off tax” that may be keeping Canadians from using all of their vacation time. Time-off tax is the amount of work employees need to do to prepare for their time off, or the work they need to do to catch up when they return. For some Canadians, the time-off tax is too great to consider a vacation. Other reasons for not taking vacation time may include wanting to appear dedicated or not understanding the benefits of taking vacation time. |
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The Importance of Vacation
Taking time away from work has a myriad of health and safety benefits. Employees that take vacation time are known to have better quality sleep overall, which helps prevent fatigue. Studies also show that taking vacations increases productivity and engagement at work. In fact, vacation is so powerful that one study reported an 80% increase in performance after a vacation respite.
Taking vacation time allows for rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation – all of which combat burnout.
Vacation Reduces the Risk of Burnout
Burnout is a chronic state of stress. Constantly working long hours, in high-stress, high-pressure settings, managing a heavy workload and/or not taking vacation time are contributing factors.
Burnout doesn’t happen overnight but knowing the signs and mitigating the effects (before you find yourself in a state of chronic stress that leaves you unable to function on a personal or professional level) can prevent it. Signs of burnout include:
Taking vacation time allows for rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation – all of which combat burnout. |
What is Burnout?More than just being tired after a long day at work, Psychology Today defines burnout as: “A state of chronic stress resulting in:
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Encourage Wellness in the Workplace
You can mitigate the risk of burnout and increase productivity and performance in the workplace by encouraging your employees to take the vacation time they’re entitled to. One of the best ways to ensure that workers feel supported in taking their vacation is to ensure that there is adequate coverage so that employees who take time off don’t have to pay the “time off tax.” You can also encourage employees to take vacation time by making work-life balance part of your workplace safety culture and creating policies that support disconnecting from work during time off.
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Trust MidSouthWest Training and Consulting
MidSouthWest Training and Consulting provides an online Psychological Health and Safety eLearning Module and an online Fatigue Prevention course. You can trust MidSouthWest Training and Consulting to provide you with cost-effective training solutions tailored to meet your organization’s unique health and safety needs.
To ask to learn more, contact us online or call 289.309.1143. Visit us 24/7 on the web at midsouthwest.ca. |
Last updated May 29, 2024