Best Practices for Taking Time Off

Leaders — take a break! That advice is really for everyone. However, we know that if leaders don’t model the behavior of taking time off and unplugging, their team members are less likely to care for themselves. More and more, I see team members joining meetings even though they have booked a day off or are on vacation. Their rationale is that it’s easier for them to attend a call here or there to stay informed than to come back and play catch-up. I can’t tell you how much that makes my head spin. Listen, I have been there. I have taken the “day off-ish” where it feels like you can’t untether from work, but I cannot reinforce enough how critical it is to set those boundaries….for yourself and the people you work with. Working endlessly is a direct path to burnout. Nothing will impact your efficiency and productivity more than draining every drop of your energy and attempting to push forward on fumes. Taking a break and using your PTO is how you remain focused and deliver quality results because you give your mind a chance to rest. My best ideas always come after I disconnect—not when I am running on empty. Not only do you need time away from work to breathe and reboot, but your PTO is also part of your total rewards package. You are legit leaving money on the table when you don’t take those days and many companies cap how much you can roll over into the next year. So, if you want to maximize your compensation package, take the time off! A recent LinkedIn study showed that while 54% of individual contributors check in on vacation, the number jumps to 70% for managers and 77% for senior leaders. Additionally, senior leaders also experience heightened guilt when taking time off. As leaders, every time we send an email or jump on a call when we’re supposed to be off, we send a message to our teams that they should do the same and that work matters more than their well-being. People will only feel comfortable taking time off when the company culture values it and when they see their managers embracing it. No matter where you are in your career or what you do, we all need time to recharge. It’s critical to our mental well-being and overall health, but it’s also how we remain all-star employees. Even elite athletes have days off….so if Simone Biles or Tom Brady can take a day and still be the GOAT, you can, too 😊 But in all seriousness, your time off matters. YOU matter. And if you’re a leader, you are responsible for setting the example. Take a break and inspire others to do the same. #wellbeing #takeabreak #unplug #recharge #youmatter

Just returned from an amazing week completely unplugged and feeling recharged! 🌞 The trip was to celebrate my brilliant friend who just finished her bar exam and is on her way to becoming a lawyer. With both of us leading busy lives, a week off was the perfect change of pace. Even though I took a break from work, I picked up some valuable insights on how to truly disconnect without everything falling apart: 👩🏫 Delegate and Set Clear Expectations: Even a short break can lead to a lot of details slipping through the cracks, so it’s important to document everything and establish where you left off and what needs attention when you return. 🗓️ Create a Game Plan: Assign tasks to team members and ensure they’re clear on their responsibilities. Knowing that my colleagues were handling things allowed me to relax and enjoy my time off without worry. 😇 Be Honest and Manage Expectations: Avoid overpromising or making commitments while you’re away. It’s better to under-promise and over-deliver than to stretch yourself too thin. Most importantly, I learned that taking time to recharge is invaluable. With a solid plan in place, you can turn off your notifications and genuinely enjoy your break without stress. 🏖️🍹 What proactive steps do you take before taking time off?

Use your PTO! Recharge now, before burnout forces you to. We often think we need a full-blown vacation to justify using our time off a week away, a big itinerary, a “reason.” But here’s the truth: burnout doesn’t wait for your calendar to clear. A 2-day getaway. A long weekend. A Friday off to sleep in and unplug. These small breaks can have a big impact on your mental clarity, motivation, and emotional well-being. Your PTO is part of your compensation package. It’s not a bonus. It’s not a favor. It’s a boundary and using it doesn’t make you any less committed or professional. I know how easy it is to push through and power on, especially when you’re ambitious, understaffed, or leading others. But you can’t pour from an empty cup. Stepping away, even briefly, helps you return more focused, creative, and effective. So if you’ve been waiting for the “right” time to use your PTO this is it. #mentalhealthmonth #jobsearch #careers