The fact that critics have been berating the President for taking a vacation isn’t anything new. In fact the MSNBC.com article, “Criticisms of presidential vacations are a tradition,” notes that as far back as John Adams (who spent seven months on his Quincy, Mass. farm and nearly allowed Congress to plunge into war with France) “the critics have always been there to attack.”
The thing to remember is that vacations are an important part of working life. Not just for President’s and Congress, but for every working American.
Why Every Working American Needs a Vacation
In the Psychology Today article, “The importance of vacations to our physical and mental health,” by Susan Krauss Whitbourne, Ph.D., though sometimes it appears that our leaders are acting irresponsibly by taking a recess, it is actually the responsible thing to do.
The amount of stress that the average worker endures day in and day out can be overwhelming.
“Chronic stress takes its toll in part on our body's ability to resist infection, maintain vital functions, and even the ability to avoid injury,” writes Krauss Whitbourne.
In a November 2010 survey from the American Psychological Association, three out of four Americans surveyed said they experienced an unhealthy amount of stress. That stress can increase at certain times of the year, like during the holidays that are fast approaching.
Helping Your Team to Be Healthy and Happier
While there is no state or federal law which requires you to offer your employees paid vacation time off, a 2009 report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicated that paid vacation leave was available to 78% of American workers. And there is a good reason that so many employers offer paid time off. Vacations provide employees with a much needed rest so that they can return to work refreshed and more productive.
If you are in the process of developing a vacation policy (or you want to update the one you have), consider these tips:
- Develop a plan that encourages employees to take time off and which doesn’t penalize them for doing so.
- Create a work environment that offers coverage for vacationing employees so they don’t feel guilty for taking the time or feel the need to work during their vacation.
- Establish specific guidelines as to how much vacation employees accrue, when accrual begins (i.e. immediately, after 90 days of employment) and when it can be used (i.e. increments of four hours minimum).
- Define who is eligible to receive vacation (i.e. full-time employees only).
Even the President of the United States understands the importance and the benefits of taking a vacation from work. And as a small business owner or company manager it is your responsibility to ensure your employees take time from the 8-to-5 grind to rejuvenate.
Deborah S. Hildebrand - Deborah S. Hildebrand is a freelance writer & HR consultant with 20+ years in human resources & a Bachelor's degree in Business.
