12 Considerations for Crafting Your Company’s Vacation Policy

It can be difficult to put your phone down and stop checking your emails when out of the office.

Question: As employees leave for vacation, do you encourage them to “unplug” or prefer that they stay “on-call” to be reached if you really need them?

Question: As employees leave for vacation, do you encourage them to “unplug” or prefer that they stay “on-call” to be reached if you really need them?

Make Sure They Unplug

"Having key employees go on vacation is a stress test on your business to understand what would happen if they or someone else in their role suddenly quit. Have a process so someone else in your organization can take over anything that can't be suspended for a week."


Have Employees Fully Recharge

"I want my employees to fully recharge while they are on vacation. My team of employees knows to respect the employee on vacation and not contact them, and also pull together to cover for the person on vacation. Even though it can be painful for a fast-paced startup to be down an employee, it's for everyone's benefit if the employee comes back feeling refreshed and ready to give it 100 percent. "


Have Employees Recharge by Experiencing New Cultures

"I encourage my employees to take long trips to other countries for months at a time and divide their time there between work and leisure. It gives them the opportunity to experience new cultures (which can often improve their work) and recharge their batteries while still getting paid for the time that they're gone. It's a win/win for everyone."


Show Them You Respect Their Time

"The employer/employee relationship is one of mutual respect and cooperation. Employees are human beings first, and employees a distant second. Respect means a recognition that employees have a life beyond the company and are entitled to privacy, personal time, and the pursuit of their own interests uninterrupted by their employer. It makes for healthier employees, families and businesses."


Make It Their Decision

"In our company all employees choose how to spend their vacations. They’re encouraged to disconnect, enjoy new experiences, meet new people and explore new cultures. If possible we try to find a way to contact them in case there’s a real emergency they need to be aware of, but our experience tells us that 99 percent of the time it is possible to unplug completely."


Encourage Them to Unplug and Relax

"I encourage them to unplug from all work-related activities when leaving for vacation. Employees need a chance to detach and reboot themselves. By having them do this, they will return feeling rejuvenated and ready to work. Their minds will be clear and focused, and you will have an overall more successful employee."


Give the Employee the Choice

"In the demanding world that we now live in, we are constantly connected even while at dinners, with friends, before we sleep and even on vacations. This is the individual's personal choice I believe. With our digital world dependence, I find that my inner ability to unplug is much harder. So for me, checking in every now and again actually helps me relax while on vacation."


Make Them Unplug to Become More Productive

"We prefer employees “unplug” as much as possible because we know that an employee who is less stressed is a happier and more productive employee. Technology makes our lives easier, but it also makes it more difficult to rest and recharge. We encourage employees to take time off so they don’t suffer burnout. This approach is good for the employee and the company."


Make Sure They Unplug From Daily Stresses

"I encourage our team to take their full vacation time each year and recommend unplugging. Taking time away from the business is incredibly helpful and minimizes potential burnout. Employees come back to work refreshed with new ideas due to extended time unburdened by day-to-day stresses."


Have Them Check In Twice a Day

"Ideally I prefer they just check their email twice a day and forward their manager anything that requires follow-up. This allows for the employee to enjoy their time off while ensuring our company can provide a high level of customer service. We of course do not want to lose any potential opportunities."


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12 Considerations for Crafting Your Company’s Vacation Policy

It can be difficult to put your phone down and stop checking your emails when out of the office.

Question: As employees leave for vacation, do you encourage them to “unplug” or prefer that they stay “on-call” to be reached if you really need them?

Question: As employees leave for vacation, do you encourage them to “unplug” or prefer that they stay “on-call” to be reached if you really need them?

Make Sure They Unplug

"Having key employees go on vacation is a stress test on your business to understand what would happen if they or someone else in their role suddenly quit. Have a process so someone else in your organization can take over anything that can't be suspended for a week."


Have Employees Fully Recharge

"I want my employees to fully recharge while they are on vacation. My team of employees knows to respect the employee on vacation and not contact them, and also pull together to cover for the person on vacation. Even though it can be painful for a fast-paced startup to be down an employee, it's for everyone's benefit if the employee comes back feeling refreshed and ready to give it 100 percent. "


Have Employees Recharge by Experiencing New Cultures

"I encourage my employees to take long trips to other countries for months at a time and divide their time there between work and leisure. It gives them the opportunity to experience new cultures (which can often improve their work) and recharge their batteries while still getting paid for the time that they're gone. It's a win/win for everyone."


Show Them You Respect Their Time

"The employer/employee relationship is one of mutual respect and cooperation. Employees are human beings first, and employees a distant second. Respect means a recognition that employees have a life beyond the company and are entitled to privacy, personal time, and the pursuit of their own interests uninterrupted by their employer. It makes for healthier employees, families and businesses."


Make It Their Decision

"In our company all employees choose how to spend their vacations. They’re encouraged to disconnect, enjoy new experiences, meet new people and explore new cultures. If possible we try to find a way to contact them in case there’s a real emergency they need to be aware of, but our experience tells us that 99 percent of the time it is possible to unplug completely."


Encourage Them to Unplug and Relax

"I encourage them to unplug from all work-related activities when leaving for vacation. Employees need a chance to detach and reboot themselves. By having them do this, they will return feeling rejuvenated and ready to work. Their minds will be clear and focused, and you will have an overall more successful employee."


Give the Employee the Choice

"In the demanding world that we now live in, we are constantly connected even while at dinners, with friends, before we sleep and even on vacations. This is the individual's personal choice I believe. With our digital world dependence, I find that my inner ability to unplug is much harder. So for me, checking in every now and again actually helps me relax while on vacation."


Make Them Unplug to Become More Productive

"We prefer employees “unplug” as much as possible because we know that an employee who is less stressed is a happier and more productive employee. Technology makes our lives easier, but it also makes it more difficult to rest and recharge. We encourage employees to take time off so they don’t suffer burnout. This approach is good for the employee and the company."


Make Sure They Unplug From Daily Stresses

"I encourage our team to take their full vacation time each year and recommend unplugging. Taking time away from the business is incredibly helpful and minimizes potential burnout. Employees come back to work refreshed with new ideas due to extended time unburdened by day-to-day stresses."


Have Them Check In Twice a Day

"Ideally I prefer they just check their email twice a day and forward their manager anything that requires follow-up. This allows for the employee to enjoy their time off while ensuring our company can provide a high level of customer service. We of course do not want to lose any potential opportunities."


See Also: Hiring Outside Contractors to Fill Your Company's Niche Roles

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