Program Management Leader | PgMP & PMP Certified | OKR Coach | Digital Transformation Agent | Strategic Portfolio Manager | Process Improvement Champion
I use my PTO because I need a break. Taking time off from work, even for just a few days at a time, helps with burnout. It also helps normalize stepping away from the office so that the people I manage are comfortable taking time off as well. Many American employees are having a hard time taking time off from work, according to a survey by The Harris Poll. The survey included 1,170 workers over the age of 18 and found that while most employees are satisfied with their company's time-off policy, many do not use all of their vacation days. Even though workers get enough days off, they often feel guilty about using them and struggle to ask for time off. The behavior of bosses also contributes to this issue, as almost 90% of employees have read emails from their bosses during vacation, and nearly half feel guilty about taking time off. As a result, employees have developed various strategies to appear as though they are working even when they are not. This why it's so important to make use of the scheduling feature in email and Slack. When the people I manage are out of the office, I schedule my replies to arrive once they have returned. Shalene Gupta highlights the complexity of this challenge, noting that employees are afraid of being "out of office" and find it hard to disconnect fully from work. She emphasizes that it is crucial for both individuals and employers to set boundaries and support a healthy work-life balance.
