Employee training and overall human resource enthusiast, who strives to learn creative tricks of the trade everyday. Writer and frequent contributor to the TrainingTime Learning Library and other article resources. Hoping to learn new ideas and share some of my own knowledge.
An important part of having a healthy work/life balance is being able to take a vacation from time to time without being stressed about work. But these days it’s more common than ever to see people bringing work along on a family vacation that should be spent relaxing and recharging.
Vacations are meant to be a time where employees can catch up with family and friends, in order to return to work with a full set of recharged batteries. Taking a truly relaxing vacation will have anyone returning to work more productive than before they left.
Vacation is a time to relax, so keep work at work. Follow these five tips to ensure that work doesn’t ruin your vacation and stays back at your desk:
- Have a plan. Let everyone on your team know when you’re leaving and how long you’ll be gone. Complete as much work as you can before you’re scheduled to leave. Make sure at least one of your team members has a copy of all the important information they may need in your absence.
- Leave a clear desk. Ensure that you return to work relaxed by leaving your desk free and clear of clutter. If your desk is clear, coworkers will probably be less likely to dump a new folder or paperwork on it as a welcome-back present.
- Delegate important tasks. If a coworker will be taking over your duties while you’re out, set up a training day before you leave to ensure they know how to handle things. Print out a list of tasks and important information if that makes it any easier.
- Keep an open calendar. Don’t schedule anything for the day you return to work. Yes, you may be ready to jump right back in, but it may do little more than stress you out. If you’re worried about anyone scheduling anything while you’re gone, schedule a day-long meeting with yourself.
- Ditch the laptop. And leave your Blackberry behind, too. Even if you don’t plan on doing work over vacation, the temptation may be too much to handle. Your family and friends will thank you for this one.
For the sake of you and your coworkers, leave work at work this summer and keep it out of your vacation. You’ll return more energized and stress-less than you were before going on vacation. Know that disconnecting is good for everyone involved - you, your family, friends and coworkers.
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