How Many Trumpets Have Sounded 2021, Articles S

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. A company's leaders ultimately need to set the tone for the company's vacation policy. Subject: Request for one week vacation leave. Learn how SHRM Certification can accelerate your career growth by earning a SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP. To request permission for specific items, click on the reuse permissions button on the page where you find the item. The best way for employers to encourage employees to use their time off wisely is by creating these days themselvesnot just for their own benefit but also for those who enjoy working at home or remotely from home offices. } Employees need to feel that their organization understands work-life balance and that they are encouraged to take time away from the office. She also suggested that employees reduce their workweek by taking a Friday or Monday off each week until the end of the year. As health officials urge everyone to stay close to home and limit contact with people outside their households during the winter holidays to stop the spread of the coronavirus, many workers are reluctant to use their PTOeven after they postponed summer vacation plans. var currentLocation = getCookie("SHRM_Core_CurrentUser_LocationID"); Here is a template you can use when structuring your email: Subject: [type of leave] request - [your name] Dear [employer's name], I would like to request [number of days or weeks] leave days that start from [date] and end on [date]. Something went wrong. Encouraging employees getting fresh air and exercise during work hours through outdoor breaks or fitness classes held onsite (many companies offer these types of perks). Steve Pemberton, chief human resources officer at the company, which is co-headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, and Framingham, Mass. The SHRM Blog does not accept solicitation for guest posts. } Second, you also get Timetastics Firewire, which is sent out quarterly to you and any department managers you have on your team. By taking time off regularly, you can show everyone else in the company how important it is to take time off so they dont feel guilty about doing so themselves. Review this collection of common PTO questions and answers or watch the embedded HR Party of One video below to prepare accordingly. There are a lot of stressors now and our biggest concern is our employees becoming burned out. In these difficult times, weve made a number of our coronavirus articles free for all readers. As of [DD/MM/YY], you have an annual leave balance of [X DAYS/ X HOURS]. Even though staff taking holiday can be disruptive in the short term, encouraging staff to book annual leave actually holds many benefits to employers in the long run: Cut stress & burnout, and improve productivity. Consider the following scenarios HR may face during the holiday season: PTO tools with at-a-glance calendars allow for easier staffing decisions, but other employers still may want to audit and update their time off policy to save resources in the long run. Ensure there is appropriate cover. Gain the intel you need now to successfully anticipate and navigate employment laws, stay compliant and mitigate legal risks. If you have any questions about your leave balance, or how to book leave, please reach out to your manager. Others are more likely to follow when company policies express and your behaviors demonstrate what you most value. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies. Perhaps a team competition with a free lunch to the winning team . This will help ensure that your employees use their paid time off and dont miss out on valuable benefits. Some businesses may close down for a week or two at a certain time of the year, and that period is everyone's . To learn more about communicating these updates, use the template in, federal holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, human resources information system (HRIS), this collection of common PTO questions and answers. "People don't have a lot of control right now, and they are trying to control what they can.". But a template doesnt do anything to solve the root of your annual leave problem. For small teams, granting PTO requests while maintaining an effective workforce is a big challenge, especially around federal holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas as well as other religious holidays like Hannukah. 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. This is an easy way to help your employees unplug, refocus, and enjoy themselves. Many HR professionals report that they've struggled with how to address this trend because vacation is such a sensitive topic. The reply should explain when the employee will be away and for how long, but also include some language that indicates that the employee is taking a break from work and is not available during this time. } This leave can make you more motivated and help you perform more effectively. 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. [Give a reason for sending the incorrect mail according to you in your own words, this is just an example given]. If you miss the odd day, the world won't implode, but if people don't know you're away for a few weeks and they don't know exactly when you'll be back, or who they can contact in your place, you're going to have some unhappy clients or customers. 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. Teams are feeling exhausted, work demands are on the rise, and more and more time is devoted to work instead of ourselves. Im writing to remind you that we have an annual leave policy. And if most of your team waits until the end of the year to take their leave, youll struggle to accommodate everyone and end up with an unhappy team, wasted time off, or too much carry-over into the next year. 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. else if(currentUrl.indexOf("/about-shrm/pages/shrm-mena.aspx") > -1) { 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. - John Lie-Nielsen, One Park Financial 5. We were worried about you during your absence, and I speak for everyone here when I say that we are all thankful for your quick recovery. The current crisis is creating more urgency and more work. Thank you for being a great leader. (See the bottom section for more information about this process.). Unsubscribe anytime. the leave type), provide any more details (if necessary), and then submit their request. 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. Youll feel so much better when you get back than if you hadnt taken any time at all, and your coworkers will appreciate having someone healthy around them again! 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. With nowhere to go and much to adjust to, most people have cancelled not only their travel reservations but their time off as well. 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. When I take time off, I make sure I don't send emails or attempt advance work forward. If our content helps you to contend with coronavirus and other challenges, please consider subscribing to HBR. A smaller share (16 percent) are requiring employees to take vacation time, and another 22 percent are planning to take or considering that approach. Company leaders thought it would be too expensive to allow employees to carry over time or pay them for unused vacation days. Frequent breaks are more helpful because amped up levels of stress mean we cant always wait for the long-anticipated, lengthy vacations of the past. Downloadable (with restrictions)! The way leaders take a vacation is a signal for employees on vacation expectations. Members can get help with HR questions via phone, chat or email. 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. Itll be a great way to recharge their batteries without sacrificing any work hours. When anyone on your team logs into Timetastic, theyll see their Wallchart: Their Wallchart tells them who has approved time off on the calendar, along with their own leave balance, so they can see how much leave they still have left to use. Limit vacation day rollovers. People will be scared and caring about their health and source of income. 4. If they see the boss working nonstop, they. 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. Tami Wolownik, human resources head at Siemens Mobility, North America, a transportation consulting firm in Alpharetta, Ga., suggests that managers encourage employees to take a day or two off to . by. Home Letters Templates Encouragement Letters. Once the request is approved, the company Wallchart is updated so everyone can see that new time off has been added to the company calendar. If taking time off is hard for your employees, there are alternatives that you can consider. They can use that time as a mini-weekend getaway with their friends or family. Be open and transparent. You have always been a very loyal, hard-working, and passionate employee of our team (mention the details), and you have worked for a long time without taking any type of leaves. Encourage staff to switch off during annual leave. If you have any questions about your leave balance, or how to reschedule your leave, please reach out to your manager. You have successfully saved this page as a bookmark. 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. Dear Dean, Welcome back! In an age where 24/7 connectivity and increasing workloads are the norms, it can be hard for employees to take time off. The fear of being replaced or overlooked for projects or promotions is a potential factor preventing your employees from taking time off. Putting a cap on this important time doesn't help our effort to achieve high levels of employee satisfaction and productivity. "While traditional vacations and large events are not available to all employees this year, the best thing we've done to support our team is reframe what time off could look like," said Courtney Wilson, head of people operations at HealthJoy, a Chicago-based benefits platform. Finally, employers can simply remind employees to take their time off before the end of the year. But please keep in mind that this leave must be used within the next calendar year or the carry over balance will expire. Tip#3: Be sure to use the word "because" when explaining your reasons. PTO will be available to exempt and non-exempt employees. temp_style.textContent = '.ms-rtestate-field > p:first-child.is-empty.d-none, .ms-rtestate-field > .fltter .is-empty.d-none, .ZWSC-cleaned.is-empty.d-none {display:block !important;}'; For example, include information about the notice required in advance of a holiday and how much notice is required to refuse a holiday request. The Laurel, Del.-based insurance agency has a "use it or lose it" policy and didn't want its 38 employees to forgo paid time off (PTO), even if they couldn't get away to their usual vacation haunts due to the pandemic. var currentUrl = window.location.href.toLowerCase(); Wed like to avoid you losing your hard-earned time off. Implement rollover limits. Limit the rollover of unused paid leave days. Design/methodology/approach - - The first step of the analysis identifies the wage policy . Employees who take time off come to work with a positive mindset and charged to take on challenges. This allows HR to properly plan work schedules and project deadlines around planned employee absences. Build specialized knowledge and expand your influence by earning a SHRM Specialty Credential. Review. With people understandably fearful about their employment, employers need to set up and give people the mental break they need. But we know that unplugging from work is important.' Otherwise, youre heading for burnout and thats bad for everyone. Employees need time to rest and enjoy themselves outside work. To get all of HBRs content delivered to your inbox, sign up for the Daily Alert newsletter. 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. These include [dates]. 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]. Change the Way PTO is Discussed in Your Office. You may be doing a great job as a manager, but are you showing your employees how to be good managers? What is important is that they spend time with them, because they never know how long they have with their loved ones regardless if there is a pandemic. You don't need us to tell you that taking time off should reduce stress. Drew Gieseke $(document).ready(function () { Here are 12 ways you can proactively encourage employees to take time off work: Contents hide 1 Encourage Employees to Take a Digital Detox 2 Remind Employees about the Benefits of Taking Time Off 3 Do What You Preach 4 Make it a Habit to Unplug from Work Often 5 Create Company Holidays 6 Show Employees that Work-life Balance is Important You must provide the employee with notice that you require them to take annual leave, in line with the . Template: Check PTO Status HR Reminder Additionally, [company] has the right to identify blackout periods where PTO requests cannot be approved. Ensure youre clear about your organizations current time-off policy and communicate it to your team. If you have any questions, please contact [contact]. Employees often postpone PTO because they worry about who will take up the slack while they are out, said LauraHandrick, a contributing HR professional at Choosing Therapy, a Brooklyn-based website that helps educate the public about the benefits of therapy. And finally, activate your team by creating a plan where work is still accomplished, even as people are offline. First, when you use Timetastic, you get access to your teams Burnout Board. Step 3 - Create your direction to take annual leave due to an excessive leave balance letter . Please log in as a SHRM member before saving bookmarks. Hi everyone. Informal vacation request email Subject: Vacation request June 1-15 Hi Jean, I'd like to request vacation time from Monday, June 1st through Tuesday the 15th. The benefits of taking time off are numerous: it helps your employees be more productive at work, it helps them be happier with their job, it can make them more creative by giving their minds a chance to wander freely with no deadlines or restrictions, and it gives them a chance to recharge their batteries so that when work starts up again after the break theyre ready for anything. A specified amount of time off can be allowed that must be taken in minimum increments of, for example, a week. That is why I would encourage employees to take days off by recommending they spend time with their families. Suddenly, a majority of people within an organization want to take time off. A subscription purchase is the best way to support the creation of these resources. Review these examples of letters and emails sent to candidates during the hiring process: Interview Invitation Letters Candidate Rejection Letters Welcome a New or Returning Employee Whether you're making an initial job offer or welcoming an employee back from an extended leave, here are some samples of what you might say. (Enovapoint, 2021) Using a name rather than a department in the sender line. It gives both the employee and employer time for review. We need to refuel early and often. Leaders can show employees they value this by taking time off themselves. I will be back at work on [DATE]. Sabina Nawaz. "It's not necessarily time off, but we encourage our people on no-meeting days to do that extra load of laundry or have . This strategy will give everyone equal opportunities when it comes to making decisions about how they spend their free time outside of work hours. Everybody needs refreshment in their life from their work, so by looking into your hard work and sincerity towards your work, the company has decided to give you a leave for someday, and we will appreciate if you take it. 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. On the other hand, your business operations may permit you to allow employees to take vacation time on a day-by-day basis. Additionally, employees will become more conscious of scheduling their breaks. $(document).ready(function () { First, provide clarity about your time-off policy and any company, government, or health official guidelines and restrictions. Now that there is a boundary, people want to take time off, she explained. If it has been awhile since you took a vacation, start planning your time off. You can reach me at [alternate contact info]. temp_style.textContent = '.ms-rtestate-field > p:first-child.is-empty.d-none, .ms-rtestate-field > .fltter .is-empty.d-none, .ZWSC-cleaned.is-empty.d-none {display:block !important;}'; It outlines the employee's intended days off and their plan for coverage at work. Some fear that taking time off may make them appear less dedicated or essential, attributes that no one wants to project amid layoffs across many industries. }); if($('.container-footer').length > 1){ But companies should encourage their employees to take and enjoy time off in order to promote employee wellness, happiness, and productivity in the workplace. When was the last time you used your PTO to take a vacation? We really want our employees to take their leave its yours to take and we hope you enjoy it. Fewer employees want to take vacations given that the pandemic has severely curtailed travel options. You have been a hard-working and sincere employee to our team; you have worked for so long without taking any half-day or leave. Please log in as a SHRM member before saving bookmarks. Thats why we have an annual leave policyto help you take care of yourself so that youre ready to go when it comes time to come back! In our company time off policy, it states that [X AMOUNT] of your annual leave will be carried over into the next year. Here are five tactics that can make a difference: 1. 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. We are so happy to have you back at the Sunshine House. Virtual & Washington, DC | February 26-28, 2023. Build specialized knowledge and expand your influence by earning a SHRM Specialty Credential. The disparity in working conditions is becoming evident in the yield of work based on individual work-from-home circumstances. And there are plenty of ways to do so. There are many positive benefits of taking vacation time. 3. For more info on handling staff leave, check out our articles on: Our customers tell us what makes them tick. Project: Time Off's study found that employees who take all of their vacation time increase their chances of getting promoted and getting a raise by 6.5 percent, compared with people who. The way that vacation and PTO are talked about at your company is going to make a huge difference in people taking time off. You can use our sample leave of absence forms to encourage employees to take time off work. Paid time off is part of your compensation. David Zaitz/Getty Images. All of my survey participants said it was important to take time off, but many were personally reluctant to unplug. Research shows the benefits of vacations to employee productivity and the economy both of which are currently under threat. Thank you for going the extra mile. 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. Several of my clients executives and managers, along with their human resource partners are increasingly seeking guidance on how to unplug and recharge and encourage their employees to do the same. Set the example for your employees Discuss the days you will be taking off and encourage your team to do the same. year after restoration (i.e., restored in leave year 2013 to be used by the end of leave year 2014). Please enter the text you see in the image below: SHRM provides content as a service to its readers and members. It also shows your employees that you don't need to spend needless extra time in the office to look busy if you're delivering on your goals. Unused vacations have cost U.S. businesses $224 billion a year. $("span.current-site").html("SHRM MENA "); Encouraging to take time off is one of the most important things that you can do for your employees. Sample email to encourage employees to take annual leave - bank lfc encashment calculator Sub bill no gar-14 leave travel concession bill for the block year. Through a combination of this survey data and individual coaching conversations, here are six strategies for managers on how to approach vacations when so much of the workforce is working from home. Dear (mention the name of the recipient). 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. Thank you for a great year. Employees need to feel that their organization understands work-life balance and that they are encouraged to take. That said, human resources personnel should also communicate regular reminders to employees about making the most of their PTO throughout the year. In fact, 62% of American workers say they eat lunch at their desks. Not to mention that according to SHRM, when employees take PTO, theyre often more productive and exhibit lower stress and better mental health. Encourage managers to set an example by utilizing their vacation time. If anyone has any questions or concerns about this email, please feel free to reach out. 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. When the economy is unstable, employers are faced with difficult decisions around staffing, pay and benefits. someone who can approve or decline leave requests) logs into Timetastic, they can see the remaining leave allowances for everyone on the team. 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. Also, push your team to unplug for at least a day on the weekend, never checking any work messages. We set very clear performance metrics with our employees and allow them flexibility in accomplishing those goals. However, while the number of hours worked is soaring, peoples capacity to focus and produce quality work is diving. We think that you truly deserve this paid vacation, and we hope you will consider our effort to appreciate your loyalty to the company and will accept this vacation. Organizations that utilize a use it or lose it PTO approach may find HR overwhelmed by this careful balancing act during the holiday season. Please purchase a SHRM membership before saving bookmarks. It's also important to clearly indicate who approves someone's holiday requests. Teams are feeling . 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. But do your employees? From dress code to time off, my team follows the tone set by the leader. To solve this problem, you can use Timetastic as your staff leave app. A policy that is clear and available to all shows that you, as the employer, value the importance of vacation time for employees. Please reach out to your direct manager to see about booking time off ASAP to take a well-deserved holiday. Your session has expired. 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 . 1) all the projects you recently finished or are currently working on. More employees began requesting vacations in June, but they pulled back again in mid-July July as virus cases roared back, according to Zenefits, a San Francisco-based benefits provider. Remind staff to book annual leave in advance. 2. Format #1. } Our unlimited vacation company policy allows employees to take as much leave as they need. Have a Clear Employee Vacation Policy First, make sure your employee vacation policy is clearly outlined. 5 ways to encourage staff to take annual leave. I am reaching out because the recruitment department needs your help! "Then you know what they have planned, and you can encourage them to follow up on it and take the time off.". 2. This can help managers optimize workload delegation. Studies show that almost 75% of employees do not take all of their allotted paid time off (PTO.) You will need to demonstrate through your own actions that youre serious about time off. Please purchase a SHRM membership before saving bookmarks. On his next half day off, he plans to go for a bike ride and camp on his deck with his daughters. Summary. Next year, youll have [CARRY OVER AMOUNT + NEW YEAR AMOUNT] in holiday leave. Help staff ease back into work after their leave. Offer Time Off As A Sign Of Appreciation Practice patience and sensitivity. Subject: letter to encourage employees to take vacations. This isn't unusual. Creating a COVID-19 vaccination policy is just the first stepnext you need to communicate the details to your employees. 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 . Suggest shorter breaks more often, rather than weeklong vacations. Push Your Employees Offlineand on Vacation Ettore Toppi Senior Consultant "You're taking a vacation? Using this circular for declaring holiday format, you can write leave circular for your own company. "When managers are intentional about making time for themselves during the dayblocking time to eat lunch, regularly scheduled personal development, being strict with their work and nonwork hourstheir teams have followed suit," Winn said. They will follow suit if they see that you put in your fair share of hours at work. So why not encourage your employees to try scheduling an extra day off on a Friday or Monday once in a while? Vacation leave letters may be addressed to your direct supervisor or the human resources department at your company. 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. If you're in HR, use this email template to communicate to your staff regarding coronavirus and flu prevention. This is just a friendly reminder that, as of [DD/MM/YY], you have a remaining leave balance of [X DAYS / X HOURS]. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(131307, '070b3b46-9e86-40d1-85c0-17bd895480dc', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); Crafting and following a comprehensive onboarding checklist ensures a consistent, As the cost of living continues to rise around the country, many employeesespecially HR professionals play an indispensable role within an organization. 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. 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.