Can I Enjoy a Summer Vacation in Busy Season?
Can I Enjoy a Summer Vacation in Busy Season?
Q. Summer is a season when most families go on vacation and enjoy time together. My wife and kids are on summer vacation and I want to spend time with them. However, it’s a busy time at my company. Can I take time off without coming across as a bad employee?A.
I am a firm believer in the benefits of vacation. We earn it – we need it – and we should take it. Now, how much time are you talking about? That would be the first question any manager would ask. The good part about summer is we know when it happens, and can make plans accordingly. That is true for personal plans, and for work plans. So why do you think you’d be considered a bad employee? Has this been an issue for you before? Do you think your requests are unreasonable, or has that been communicated to you in some way?
Most organizations have busy times, and slower times as well. December in retail means no vacations. Accounting firms are not keen on people taking time off from January 1 until after April 15. Management recognizes these peaks and valleys and encourages people to take time off during slower times so there is less burden on co-workers and the organization can continue to function smoothly.
What is the process your company has for vacation requests? Many larger organizations have practices where those with more tenure or seniority make their first, second and third choice requests. The process continues until the newest and least senior employees make their requests as well. This process often starts in January, and is completed somewhat quickly so that people can make plans accordingly.
Are you trying to take time off during a company “no vacation” time frame? Some organizations have large projects, or looming deadlines either annually, or as needed. Most often, there are no or very few exceptions to this call for staff to remain at work. Any requests for time off will require a conversation with a manager to see if your potential plan will work. Many organizations work four, 10 hour days to allow for three day weekends. Is that an alternative?
If you are trying to work around a situation, be flexible. Will the time off you want be a hardship for others? Can you take three days instead of five? Is this a request you make every year? Is that why you are concerned about being a bad employee? Repeat requests that have been turned down previously are not in your best interest.
How senior are you within the organization? Review the impact your role will have on other people who are counting on you to show up every day. Are there some weeks that would work better than others to take time off? Unless you are in charge, plan to request weeks that you predict will be less busy—like the week following the completion of a major project. Do you want more than one week at a time? This will be more difficult to accommodate, especially if it is in the middle of your company’s busy season.
Work as a team. Chances are, you are not the only employee at the firm who wants to take time off to enjoy the summer. Coordinate with your coworkers to cover for each other when someone is not in the office. Give your coworkers plenty of notice for the time you are requesting and see how it aligns with the time they want. You may be able to talk to your manager as a group and present a plan that covers the work that needs to be done, and allows for all of you to take the time off you want.
Through careful coordination and internal teamwork, professionals can plan their lives and keep their organization running successfully .
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