How Vacations Help Team Morale and Productivity
Vacations loom large in people’s lives — we obsess over them, count down to them and remember them fondly. But they’re not just pleasant diversions; they play a big role in keeping people balanced and productive at work. I myself love to travel and experience new things — it gets my brain going, and I start thinking, “How can I use this at work? How can I do something like this?”Those breaks pay off: In a study conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management for Project: Time Off, more than three-quarters of HR managers said that employees who take most or all of their vacation time are more productive than those who don’t. Three-quarters of them said taking vacation time leads to better performance, while 78 percent said it led to increased job satisfaction.How can vacations make that happen? Here are four ways.
They Give Employees Time to Decompress
In some ways, your brain performs like a muscle. At work, the pressure of constantly having to be “on” and deliver results can take its toll. Work stress, fatigue and depression can all lead to burnout. It’s a physical and mental issue that drains creativity, focus and drive.Because it performs like a muscle, sometimes your brain needs to rest. Taking time off from work — whether that means staying at home to focus on hobbies or traveling to a lively vacation spot — helps the brain recharge. Many people find they come back to work full of new energy after they take time off, ready to tackle their tasks with new vigor.
They Give People New Perspectives
It’s easy for people to get in a rut at work. Weekly routines can quickly turn into drudgery, and employees who don’t step away regularly may find their creativity starting to wane.People who travel on vacation can benefit from having new experiences and ideas that spark creativity when they come back to work. In fact, some studies show a correlation between living abroad and increased creativity. But you don’t have to hop on a plane to reap this benefit — even exploring a new part of town or your state can provide a new perspective that inspires creative solutions that can be used back in the office.
They Provide Opportunities for Cross-Training
Employee are often concerned about their work getting done in their absence, but it turns out that the best solution for alleviating that stress also creates a big opportunity for your team: cross-training.Instead of just letting key tasks slide while people are away, have people cover for each other in a thoughtful, systematic way. Cross-training allows people to learn new skills and take on new projects, which helps sustains creativity and productivity for everyone.
They Show That Employers Care
Workers whose employers promote and respect vacation time will see those employers more positively — and that can affect how they feel on the job. According to a 2016 Globoforce study, employees who don’t feel that the company cares about them are morel likely to be unhappy at work and even at home as well.When you make it easy to take time off and encourage employees to do so, it shows you trust them. Streamline your processes for taking time off, and when people are on vacation, respect it by refraining from calling or emailing them to ask questions. Allow them to be fully present in what they’re doing away from work, so they can be fully present when they return.So encourage your team members to take time off — it’s good for their well being and great for your organization too!Contact us to learn about our leadership development and coaching offerings.Success Labs is a leadership development and management consulting firm in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. For more than 25 years, our expert team of consultants has worked with hundreds of companies to explore their business potential and improve their company and cultural performance. Contact us to get proactive about your people strategy.