Take a vacation this 4th of July

Wednesday is the Fourth of July... which, in corporate America, usually doesn't mean much more than a day or two off.

For some workers though, this national holiday doesn't even mean that. Even though they might be granted a day out of the office, majority of workers will still be working at home, according to CareerBuilder.com's annual vacation survey. Twenty percent of workers say they plan to stay in touch with the office during their vacation this year, the survey says. Nine percent of workers say their employers expect them to check voicemail or e-mail on vacation, but others may feel the pressure to do so anyway.

If you're taking a few days off this Independence Day for some quality R&R, follow these four tips from Rosemary Haefner, Vice President of Human Resources for CareerBuilder.com.

1. Leave a roadmap.
Before you leave, record important information, key contacts and any deadlines that will come up while you are gone. Leave co-workers with a guide that will help them address questions that arise and keep things moving forward, they will be less likely to contact you while you're out and you will be less likely to walk into a war zone when you return.

2. Stick to an itinerary.
It's best to leave work at the office, but if you must do work, set limits and boundaries for yourself and your co-workers. Don't let activities on vacation be interrupted by work. Set aside 30 minutes each day to think about work and stick to it. Don't have co-workers call you - tell them when you are going to check in, so you can control the time allotted.

3. Think big.
If you have a big project and a great vacation planned for the same week, expect one of the two to give. Schedule the dates before and after the big stuff to lighten your load and enjoy your time off.

4. What if you're the boss?
If you're working for yourself, anticipate your busy seasons by reviewing your previous sales and current situation. Save vacation time for slower periods and make sure to notify customers in advance.

Click here for the full article on working and vacationing.

Comments

[Orlando Vacations]

Wow...20% of people on vacation stay in touch with the office...wow.

Have we lost the concept of vacation?

I thought technology was supposed to GIVE us more free time, not keep us chained to the desk. Amazing how it has worked out that way.

Thank you for your post. Enjoy it!