Please note that all such forms and policies should be reviewed by your legal counsel for compliance with applicable law, and should be modified to suit your organizations culture, industry, and practices. Brett is a #SHRM22Influencers and has also been a keynote speaker at several state SHRM conferences around the topic of employee engagement. According to global staffing firm Robert Half, 28 percent of U.S. office workers anticipated taking fewer days off in the summer months compared to last year because of concerns about COVID-19. As a leader or HR professional, navigating how to go about asking employees to use their paid-time-off during these times can be a challenging task. if(currentUrl.indexOf("/about-shrm/pages/shrm-china.aspx") > -1) { The company thinks that you truly deserve this vacation, and we hope you will consider our effort to appreciate your hard work and will take this opportunity. if(currentUrl.indexOf("/about-shrm/pages/shrm-china.aspx") > -1) { If this is the case, HR should consider the following questions when auditing their time-off policy: To learn more about communicating these updates, use the template inthis BerniePortal resource. To minimize employees' lost days, 24 percent of companies are planning to increase carryover limits. Your communication needs to include your companys stance on travel, any restrictions back at work if someone does leave town for example, a lab worker who must be on site after vacation and risks to public and personal safety. When people arent taking their leave, it can be for several reasons, including: Thankfully, there is a better way using a staff leave app that makes it easy for you to see who needs a holiday and makes it easier for them to book it. We set very clear performance metrics with our employees and allow them flexibility in accomplishing those goals. Sample email. Please enter the text you see in the image below: SHRM provides content as a service to its readers and members. Others are more likely to follow when company policies express and your behaviors demonstrate what you most value. Disclaimer, Elon Musk's Illusion of Control Undermining Teslas Future, SHRM Partners with William G. McGowan Charitable Fund with Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. and Diana Spencer, The Moment is Now for Emotional Intelligence - #SHRM22, How HR Analytics Can Leverage Performance Appraisal System. Another option is for HR to implement PTO blackout dates. One way to encourage employees to take some time off is to have one-on-one meetings with them and discuss the importance of taking a break and enjoying some time off. I suggested that she take a few long weekends and do local explorations. Purpose - - The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of the employer's wage policy on the wage dynamics of vulnerable groups of employees at large firms, including younger employees, employees on fixed-term contracts, and employees who take parental leave. When working from home, encourage your employees to consider vacations as tools for focused family time, caregiving, and self-care. 2. A vacation leave letter is a written request from employees to their company asking for approval for time off. If employees are constantly connected to their colleagues and the office, theyre more likely to feel like they need to be at their desks answering emails and taking calls. The best way to encourage employees is by setting an example yourself. Tip#4: Ease any concerns about finishing your projects on time. (Campaign Monitor,2019) Add an eye-catching subject line and body. Learn how SHRM Certification can accelerate your career growth by earning a SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP. Policy brief & purpose. We are keen to hear your thoughts on the best way to motivate everyone in the workplace to get involved with our drive to be more energy efficient. "It's not necessarily time off, but we encourage our people on no-meeting days to do that extra load of laundry or have . var currentUrl = window.location.href.toLowerCase(); **Note to employees who are projected to have annual leave that otherwise would be subject to forfeiture Sales teams are notorious for not taking PTO; this is in part because of the ongoing nature of the work and in part because taking time off can be expensive if you miss on commission. These days will be scheduled so they dont interfere with any other company-wide events, such as annual meetings and retreats, and will allow everyone in your organization a chance to relax, recharge and reconnect with family or friends. Companies are offering a range of wellness options but also vary in their policies about taking time off, from we trust you, take care of what you need to to take some of your allotted vacation time to we need all hands on deck right now and we can figure out time off later.. Some businesses may close down for a week or two at a certain time of the year, and that period is everyone's . Find the latest news and members-only resources that can help employers navigate in an uncertain economy. Additionally, [company] has the right to identify blackout periods where PTO requests cannot be approved. Some fear that taking time off may make them appear less dedicated or essential, attributes that no one wants to project amid layoffs across many industries. One way to encourage employees to take some time off is to have, Provide a list of fun activities or places nearby that are great for taking a break (e.g., If its nice out, try going on a hike!), Offer tips on how to stay focused on work while away from the office (e.g., Turn off notifications so they dont distract them!). You know who hasnt taken enough time off, and you dont have to trawl through spreadsheets to find out, since its delivered directly to you. With people understandably fearful about their employment, employers need to set up and give people the mental break they need. 3) who you are leaving in charge of any project should an emergency or immediate question arise. Some organizations, such as the Assure Women's Center in Omaha, Neb., opted to let employees carry over more vacation time. They can use that time as a mini-weekend getaway with their friends or family. "In the middle of a global pandemic? When employees know that you value their time off and take it seriously, theyll be more likely to see the importance of taking time off themselves. An example of this could simply be sending a calendar invitation via email to remind your employees that you will be out of the office. Unfortunately, the time for booking your annual leave has passed. Here are a few sample vacation request emails and a reminder email draft to help you get started: 1. Second, you also get Timetastics Firewire, which is sent out quarterly to you and any department managers you have on your team. Itll be a great way to recharge their batteries without sacrificing any work hours. In general, yes, employers can require employees who physically enter the workplace to be vaccinated for COVID-19, and before the pandemic, other employer vaccine mandates have been applied, such . We strongly recommend taking vacation time during this pandemic. The best paid time off tracking software (3 options), The best vacation tracking software (2 options), The best annual leave calendar for your business, The best way to track employee time off: plus, 2 alternative methods. Please purchase a SHRM membership before saving bookmarks. As of [DD/MM/YY], you have an annual leave balance of [X DAYS/ X HOURS]. Employees need to feel that their organization understands work-life balance and that they are encouraged to take time away from the office. Then encourage employees to incorporate those activities into their daily routine so they dont forget about them. This can help managers optimize workload delegation. Knowing who on your team is at risk of burnout or who has a lot of leave left to use is a huge win. Yet, few employees feel comfortable taking the time off they need, especially as travel plans and other vacations are cancelled. That's why it is so important to lead by example. We know that not everyone feels comfortable taking time off work, but trust me: its worth it! Make sure your message is clear. Managers might also consider reducing the number of meetings around the holidays, or making Mondays and Fridays meeting-free days from Thanksgiving until the end of the year to encourage employees to extend their weekends. It is essential for your employees to take time off from work for their sake, as much as yours. Ensure youre clear about your organizations current time-off policy and communicate it to your team. All of my survey participants said it was important to take time off, but many were personally reluctant to unplug. Vacation Request Email to Boss Sample: 4 Examples Holiday Request Letter to Manager: 4 Templates Annual Leave Letter: 4 Templates Leave Extension Letter Example: 4 Templates Holiday Request Letter example: 4 Templates Engineer Farewell Letter: 28 templates Leave of Absence Letter Template: 4 Emails Leave Application Confirmation Letter: 4 Templates This is an easy way to help your employees unplug, refocus, and enjoy themselves. People will be scared and caring about their health and source of income. [Give a reason for sending the incorrect mail according to you in your own words, this is just an example given]. For instance, you can declare a day off for the entire organization: One of my clients, analytics company, Sisense, has scheduled a monthly company-sponsored, company-wide self-care day, where nobody works. For our reps, we've developed a simple algorithm for encouraging them to take vacation days and PTO. Your team can also easily book a holiday through their Wallchart: They simply select the dates they want off, list the reason (i.e. So, by looking into your efforts and integrity to accomplish your goal in the company, we have decided to offer you a special leave for (mention the period) days, and we will be very happy if you accept it. In this post, we gave you three sample letters you can send to your team to remind them they have annual leave left to use or letting them know that leave will be carried over. Keep your communication and expectations open and transparent. For example, if you are going on vacation next week but want to respond to emails while youre gone, consider using an auto-reply that says something like: I am currently out of the office on vacation until July 1st. ref: ltc sanction order no dt (copy to be enclosed) note: this bill should be prepared in duplicate-one for payment and the other as office copy. You can use our sample leave of absence forms to encourage employees to take time off work. You may want your employees to feel like theyre getting enough sleep, eating well, and exercisingand also having fun! ", The request for employees to take vacation "was met with unbridled appreciation," he said, adding that "acknowledgment is important to people.". agree on a time for the employee to take the leave. Ask employees to create a vacation plan and mark the due date for filing leaves on their calendars. I will be back at work on [DATE]. Marketing | Branding | Blogging. $('.container-footer').first().hide(); You want your employees to take a break from their work and enjoy the world outside. Offer Time Off As A Sign Of Appreciation Practice patience and sensitivity. First, provide clarity about your time-off policy and any company, government, or health official guidelines and restrictions. Downloadable (with restrictions)! Demonstrate care of your employees by offering flexibility, and model behaviors yourself by taking advantage of your own time off. Our unlimited vacation company policy allows employees to take as much leave as they need. Tip#3: Be sure to use the word "because" when explaining your reasons. Take a stand against this trend of all work and little play. 1. There are a lot of stressors now and our biggest concern is our employees becoming burned out. Why it's in your interest for staff to take leave. This includes ensuring everyone takes their allotted time off and fostering a culture that doesn't make people feel hesitant to take their vacation days. If it has been awhile since you took a vacation, start planning your time off. This combination pushed the company to send an e-mail to its 600 employees last month asking each of them to take five days of vacation before the end of August, said Steve Pemberton, chief human . document.head.append(temp_style); You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. To request permission for specific items, click on the reuse permissions button on the page where you find the item. Restored leave still remaining to the employee's credit at the end of this period will be forfeited without the right to further restoration. Let them know that vacation can improve their relationships at work, as well as their productivity and morale. We live in Virginia and many drives that are beautiful. This allows HR to properly plan work schedules and project deadlines around planned employee absences. The first step to dismissing any negative perceptions about taking time off is to reassure your employees that their jobs are safe. When some of your employees are using time off, share that information with the rest of the team and encourage them to do so as well. Be open and transparent. Perhaps a team competition with a free lunch to the winning team . Timetastic helps make that a reality by giving your team an easy way to see their leave balance, check the companys time off calendar, and book their holiday request. Set email communication a part of your corporate image . ". It has taken jobs, businesses and human lives. They are now allowed to carry over two weeks instead of just one. Moreover, vacations can also help employees stay healthy by encouraging them to exercise and eat better habits. When was the last time you used your PTO to take a vacation? How can you encourage employees to take vacation days? Instead, encourage your team to take shorter breaks more often an afternoon every week or a full day here and there. Be happy when employees book time off. Due to the sluggish economy, employees hesitate to take time off, and/or do not disconnect 100% while on vacation, often checking in once a day or scanning emails.Failing to take vacation days can result in higher levels of stress and greater levels of disengagement at work. Please log in as a SHRM member before saving bookmarks. The SHRM Blog does not accept solicitation for guest posts. Of this total, $210B was used and $155B was unused. We've all missed you, and the residents have been anxious for your return. If you have any queries, you can reach our department of [Mention the details] at [mention phone number] or send your questions through an email at [mention the email address]. Create a cafe-like office. You can also use these meetings as an opportunity to motivate your employees to take a break by explaining how important it is for their health and productivity. $(document).ready(function () { As Limeades CEO Henry Albrecht stated in my survey, Share the rules, show care, model the behaviors, and trust people to do the right thing.. Review this collection of common PTO questions and answers or watch the embedded HR Party of One video below to prepare accordingly. In many companies, employees may even need to find coverage while they're out so their workload isn't interrupted. Take a moment to think about what makes your employees happyit could be anything from playing with their dog or cat, reading a book, watching their favorite movie, or listening to music. document.head.append(temp_style); You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. To make sure that you use your annual leave before the end of the year, were writing to inform you that you will be on mandatory leave from [START DATE] to [END DATE]. If you have any questions about your leave balance, or how to book leave, please reach out to your manager. Putting a cap on this important time doesn't help our effort to achieve high levels of employee satisfaction and productivity. Otherwise, theyll burn out quickly (and possibly quit). Virtual & Washington, DC | February 26-28, 2023. Here are five tactics that can make a difference: 1. You, your team, and your directors. else if(currentUrl.indexOf("/about-shrm/pages/shrm-mena.aspx") > -1) { "Time off gives you the opportunity to recharge. They worry that workers' reluctance to take time off is only adding to the anxiety, stress and other mental health problems caused by COVID-19 and the recession. How does your company handle end-of-year time off requests? At Workhuman, surveys showed that employee stress was on the rise and vacation requests were running below 2019 levels. We showcase this by offering our employees unlimited PTO. Many volunteers have been reluctant to go to the center amid the pandemic, which made it difficult for the 43 employees to take time off. Help staff ease back into work after their leave. Here are five ways to encourage your employees to take a holiday leave: 1. Smith speculated that employees didn't see the point in taking time off when they were working from home just to stay at home. var currentUrl = window.location.href.toLowerCase(); Leaders can show employees they value this by taking time off themselves. Talking to your employees about the coronavirus is no easy feat. Build a better team and achieve more of what matters. $('.container-footer').first().hide(); By starting from a place of care and concern for your workforce you reinforce the maxim that people are your strongest asset and that youre there for them in good times and bad, regardless of their individual circumstances. These employee thank you letters are a perfect way to show the company's gratitude to some employees or even peers for their hard work and effort, as well as their accomplishment to a project. To help employees feel comfortable taking time off, its important to set up an out-of-office reply that promotes relaxation. 4.2.2 Earning Vacation. 3. Gain the intel you need now to successfully anticipate and navigate employment laws, stay compliant and mitigate legal risks. }); if($('.container-footer').length > 1){ In this case, make a simple process for reaching out and interacting with coworkers to find coverage for time off. If you're in HR, use this email template to communicate to your staff regarding coronavirus and flu prevention. Employees receive their allotted PTO at the beginning of the calendar year. var temp_style = document.createElement('style'); Unused vacations have cost U.S. businesses $224 billion a year. They influence President Biden signed the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act into law on December 29, 2022 BerniePortal is the all-in-one HR software solution at a fair price, so HR can focus on providing a good place to work. Here are five reasons to encourage your employees to take a vacation. else if(currentUrl.indexOf("/about-shrm/pages/shrm-mena.aspx") > -1) { If you have any questions about your leave balance, or how to reschedule your leave, please reach out to your manager. "As employers, we have to be cognizant of the mental health impact that the pandemic is having," Pemberton said. Studies show that almost 75% of employees do not take all of their allotted paid time off (PTO.) This leave can make you more motivated and help you perform more effectively. Down time is likely to be devoted to supporting good mental health rather than recreation or travel. The pandemic has affected many people. The current crisis is creating more urgency and more work. Here are some ways you can encourage employees to step away from their devices: Sometimes employees hesitate to take time off because they feel they will be distracted from getting all work-related emails and then having to reply to them instantly. Please enable scripts and reload this page. SHRM Employment Law & Compliance Conference, Steve Pemberton, chief human resources officer at the, How to Encourage Employees to Take Vacation, New OSHA Guidance Clarifies Return-to-Work Expectations, Trump Suspends New H-1B Visas Through 2020, Faking COVID-19 Illness Can Have Serious Consequences, UK: Employee Who Refused to Wear a Face Mask Fairly Dismissed, New York Rolls Out 12-Week Paid Parental Leave Policy for State Workers. You may be setting the bar high with your hard work and dedication, but if you arent taking time off yourself (and showing others how its done), then they wont know how to break away from their official responsibilities. Dear [Name of Manager], I would like to request for one week of leave from [DATE] to [DATE]. When Crystal Brown-Tatum, a human resources manager at Dallas Summer Musicals, noticed that her staff members were accruing more paid time off (PTO) during the pandemic than they would be able to roll over in 2021, she sent out a list of road trips for employees to consider taking. On his half day off, one of my clients created a bouquet for his wife from his garden, repaired a bicycle, and read a book that had been sitting on his shelf for a decade. On A Mission to Help Small Businesses to Be a Brand. Set the example for your employees Discuss the days you will be taking off and encourage your team to do the same. } Paid time off is part of your compensation. Also, push your team to unplug for at least a day on the weekend, never checking any work messages. This person can then quickly approve or decline the request, with a full view of any potential holiday clashes in the app. advise the employee you would like them to take some of their annual leave, and. It's also important to clearly indicate who approves someone's holiday requests. If there arent any available at your company yet but would like something similar instead then consider adding an incentive program where each employee receives points based on how many hours they worked each week which can then be redeemed at the end of each month towards goods or services such as gym memberships or other activities outside work hours. You might need to provide extra flexibility. I'm saving my vacation time until Europe reopens!" My specific plans notwithstanding, my coworker's comments make sense. Sabina Nawaz. But these templates really just help you organise your thoughts. You truly deserve this vacation; we hope you will consider our letter and will take this opportunity. Sample Welcome Back Letter From Sick Leave. There's more to PTO than making adjustments at the end of the year. All PTO requests and approvals will be tracked using [system]. When the economy is unstable, employers are faced with difficult decisions around staffing, pay and benefits. One of the best ways for managers to encourage their staff to take time off is by taking PTO themselves. "I would encourage every employee to take the time off that they are entitled to and deserve." Employees are also reminded of the upcoming deadlines to use personal holiday hours or vacation carryover. This was the concern one of my clients recently. I have been continuously suggesting people use their vacation time so they do not forfeit it at the end of the year and to ensure they are getting downtime. Encourage employees to walk out of the office, turn off their cell phones, shut down the computer, focus on just themselves for at least a couple of hours and simply ask them to enjoy your time. Its also important to provide employees with references to any government or health official guidance, so they can also take that into account. Taking a break from work can be a great way to recharge and re-energize, but it can also do a lot for your mental and physical health. On his next half day off, he plans to go for a bike ride and camp on his deck with his daughters. var currentLocation = getCookie("SHRM_Core_CurrentUser_LocationID"); Follow this simple memo to staff on . If we take time away from work to recharge and reconnect with loved ones, we can return to work ready to approach our work with energy and purpose.
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