We know that sometimes it’s difficult to switch off from work on your days off. Whether this is a project you are working on with a tight deadline, or simply a mountain of emails to get through - it can sometimes seem like there is no light at the end of the tunnel. The unfortunate side effect of this however, is that while you may be able to maintain this pace of work for a while, eventually you will actually be less productive.
This is why it’s important to have a work detox, especially on important dates such as your birthday, over festive periods and dedicated holiday time. Here are some tips to ensure that you can take the well-deserved break that you need.
Make sure you have the support you need
Much of the hesitation to take time off, or to check work emails while on annual leave, comes down to a feeling that there isn’t the support you need to look after your work while you’re away. It’s important that you have a conversation with your manager and your team to ensure that they know while you’re on annual leave, you will not be checking in on work and will be using the time to focus on yourself and your personal wellbeing.
Don’t worry about any negative perception you feel having this conversation will give to your employer either. The vast majority of companies now actively want to support their employees’ physical and mental wellbeing. By having the conversation, you are in fact showing initiative in time and project management and you should have your company’s utmost support.
Manage expectations at the beginning of projects
For the time off that you know you are going to take, make sure that you let the manager of the project know that you will be taking time off work. This will allow the project or work to accommodate your annual leave, which means that you can take the time off without worrying that things are being missed.
Tackle difficult tasks early on
You are likely going to be a subject matter expert in your field and therefore, you’ll want to take ownership of your tasks to ensure they are managed well. This is understandable, but it can mean that you will feel like you can’t switch off from work when it’s time to take annual leave.
Where possible, try to tackle these tasks first. By having them under control, you can ensure that more minor administrative tasks are the only things left before your annual leave. This can then be supported by your team while you are away, or they will be tasks that can wait until your return.
Take special time off
Some dates are more significant and others, so they are a time where they should be your focus; not work. Where possible, flag that you’d like to take these days off as early as you can to ensure no overlap of team leave. By switching off from work and having something to celebrate, your focus becomes all about yourself and you will return to work feeling happier and refreshed. This is especially true for your birthday, which comes around once a year and is a time to celebrate. At Randstad, we give you an extra day, on us, every year to celebrate that special day.
Work for a business that cares
At Randstad, we encourage you to take the time off you need to detox from work and look after your mental wellbeing. We also have a number of benefits you can take advantage of while on your annual leave, so you can truly relax. If you want to find out more or are interested in joining Randstad, search our careers below.