Magnet HR Group’s Post

A well-rested employee is a productive, creative, and loyal employee. That’s why it’s essential that employers make their employees feel like they can and should take all of their paid time off. 🌴 Unfortunately, if you read our last post, you’ll know that many employees don’t feel like they can. A pressure to be productive, meet impossibly tight deadlines, and be seen as “hardworking” prevents them from taking their much-needed breaks from work. So, for companies that want to encourage a healthy work-life balance and a company culture that attracts and retains employees, here’s how you can encourage staff to take their PTO: Lead by example: Leaders, make sure you’re taking your PTO too. You can also discuss paid time off in meetings and encourage employees to chat about traveling and vacations.  Don’t make them justify their time off: Many employees feel like they need a “good” reason to take time off. They should feel like they can take their PTO for no reason at all.  Encourage unplugging: Don’t expect employees to be responsive outside of work hours, especially when they’re away. Standardize out-of-office email responses and ask how you can support employees in truly unplugging.  Send vacation balance reminders: Sending these to managers means that they can talk to employees who have a high balance and ensure that they plan to take them off. This can reduce liability for the company and nurture a healthy work/life balance.  Have an employee backup: Employees can often dread coming back to a huge workload and backlog of emails. Having an employee that’s able to pick up on some of the work during their coworker’s vacation helps to alleviate the burden. 💡 Got any other tips? Share them below! #EmployeeWellbeing #WorkLifeBalance #EmployeeProductivity #EmployeeEngagement #Leadership #Unplugging #HRTips #EmployeeSatisfaction #WorkplaceWellbeing #Burnout 

The recent data showing many workers checking in during PTO raises important questions about work-life balance and company culture. While staying connected can feel necessary in our digital age, research suggests this "always-on" mentality may be counterproductive. According to a study by the American Psychological Association, 41% of employees feel stressed when they cannot access work communications during time off. However, Harvard Business Review research demonstrates that true disconnection during PTO leads to: 31% higher productivity upon return Reduced burnout risk Improved creative problem-solving Better workplace relationships As a leader in customer engagement, I believe we must actively encourage genuine downtime. McKinsey's 2023 research shows companies with strong boundaries around PTO see 27% higher employee retention and improved team performance. What are your thoughts on PTO boundaries? How does your organization handle time off communications? WorkLifeBalance #Leadership #EmployeeWellbeing #WorkplaceCulture

#EmployeeProductivity can be measured down to the minute, but did you know some of the most important times to increase productivity is actually time spent away from work? Learn how #PTO is a key factor in maximizing workplace productivity. The Importance of PTO in Maintaining Workplace Productivity https://hubs.ly/Q02qVTfQ0

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.

7 Reasons to encourage employees to take time off 1. Better mental and physical health Enforcing PTO will pay dividends for the employer in the form of the employees’ health and attitude towards work.   2. Increased retention Returning happier and well-rested from a vacation will bring in positive feelings for the employers. 3. Increased productivity Expect your employees to be more productive and more in tune with managers and co-workers after some time off. 4. Happier workplace culture Having healthy happy employees who take time off will do wonders for your profits and your office environment. 5. Better work and life balance Taking time away from being relentlessly busy gives you a chance to remember what the true meaning of life is. 6. #Boostedteamwork When you delegate to others being on a vacation, you are forced to share your knowledge with colleagues, and they grow in your absence. 7. Save money As mentioned above, employee retention increases when they take vacations. This means you’ll be spending less on hiring and training new employees, saving money in the long run #humanresources #hrcomunity #upskilling #mentalhealth

Did you know that American workers are notorious for not taking their PTO? This trend isn't just about lost vacation days; it has serious implications for employee well-being, productivity, and retention. Discover why this happens and what you can do to encourage a healthier work-life balance within your team. Dive into our latest WorldatWork article to learn more! https://bit.ly/3yUp8lW #WorkLifeBalance #EmployeeWellbeing #HR #PTO #HumanResources #EmployeeEngagement #WorkCulture #Wellness #Workplace #EmployeeHealth

🎄Employee retention is a priority for many businesses, and one key factor in keeping your team happy is offering benefits like unlimited PTO. When employees feel trusted and valued, they’re more likely to stay and contribute long-term. By offering flexibility, especially around the holiday season, you're not only supporting their work-life balance but also reducing burnout and boosting morale. As we head into the holidays, remember: happy employees are loyal employees. Give your team the time they need to recharge, and they’ll come back ready to give their best! 🌟 #EmployeeRetention #UnlimitedPTO #HolidayPTO

🎄Employee retention is a priority for many businesses, and one key factor in keeping your team happy is offering benefits like unlimited PTO. When employees feel trusted and valued, they’re more likely to stay and contribute long-term. By offering flexibility, especially around the holiday season, you're not only supporting their work-life balance but also reducing burnout and boosting morale. As we head into the holidays, remember: happy employees are loyal employees. Give your team the time they need to recharge, and they’ll come back ready to give their best! 🌟 #EmployeeRetention #UnlimitedPTO #HolidayPTO

7 Reasons to encourage employees to take time off 1. Better mental and physical health Enforcing PTO will pay dividends for the employer in the form of the employees’ health and attitude towards work. 2. Increased retention Returning happier and well-rested from a vacation will bring in positive feelings for the employers. 3. Increased productivity Expect your employees to be more productive and more in tune with managers and co-workers after some time off. 4. Happier workplace culture Having healthy happy employees who take time off will do wonders for your profits and your office environment. 5. Better work and life balance Taking time away from being relentlessly busy gives you a chance to remember what the true meaning of life is. 6. #Boostedteamwork When you delegate to others being on a vacation, you are forced to share your knowledge with colleagues, and they grow in your absence. 7. Save money As mentioned above, employee retention increases when they take vacations. This means you’ll be spending less on hiring and training new employees, saving money in the long run #humanresources #hrcomunity #upskilling #mentalhealth

Encouraging employees to take PTO does more than just reduce burnout. It gives your team a chance to rest, relax, and recharge which leads to increased productivity when they come back to work. Learn more about the benefits of PTO in our recent blog: The Importance of PTO in Maintaining Workplace Productivity https://hubs.la/Q02yWmN_0