Vacation 411 – Everything You Need To Know About Taking Time Off Work
June 10, 2015
By Brian Maynor
It’s summer, and that means time to take a vacay.
Spending time away from work and getting out of the office is always a good thing, but how often do you feel dread and stress both before and afterwards?
Your vacation should be a pleasant experience from the excitement of planning it to the joy of sharing your experiences with friends and coworkers, not an additional source of stress. Plus how you handle this situation speaks volumes about your level of professionalism. Here are a few tips to keep in mind as we move full swing into the vacation season to ensure everyone enjoys your time away from work:
1. Giving proper notice. Vacations aren’t just about you. While you are out of the office, a team of people is filling in and covering the work that doesn’t stop. One of the keys to reducing stress for everyone around your vacation is to plan well in advance. Once you know when you are going to be out of the office put it on your calendar so you can avoid scheduling conflicts during your down time. No one wants to deal with conference calls when you’re supposed to be relaxing by the pool.
2. Set a cushion day. When you’re marking off your calendar, be sure to add a half-day off the day before you leave. This will help you feel less rushed with any last-minute errands or packing emergencies. To keep your relaxation in tack, give yourself a day between your return home and your return to work. This will let you unpack, do laundry and prepare for returning to the daily grind. Also keep your office calendar light the day you return. There’s no need to run from meeting to meeting the first day back.
3. Use your time wisely. The week before your vacation along with planning your suitcase, plan with your staff the goals and expectations for your time away. It’s better to set clear ground rules and define situations when you should be contacted and what can wait until you return. Ideally you will have spent the few weeks prior wrapping up key projects or delegating duties to other team members.
Also use your ‘Out of Office’ message effectively. Along with the dates you are out of the office, mention when you will be responding to messages. This lets people know you will not be glued to your phone sending out replies while you’re out of the office. Another tip is to start it the day before you leave. This helps you prioritizing emails and calls and eases everyone into your vacation mode.
Relaxing, restorative and fun vacations aren’t just fantasies of commercials and travel companies. You can truly enjoy your time off and reduce the stress on your coworkers with a little forethought and communication.
Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.
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I am always curious to hear about your weekend wardrobe dilemmas and help make your work wardrobe pull double duty. Email your questions, quandaries and conundrums to [email protected]. Also find each of these storyboards at http://brianmaynor.polyvore.com with links to purchase each item.
About Brian Maynor
Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.
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