I Need A Vacation!

Dear JJ,

Where I work we all accrue vacation days, but the culture is no one takes them.  Those people who are seen as team players are workaholics and may only take a long weekend, never a one or two week vacation.  I’m not used to that, what should I do?   

Signed,

Island Deprived

Dear Island,

Not taking a vacation is not healthy, it is part of the revitalization process, it is also not healthy for your company’s bottom line.  Accrued vacation time is costly to the company, especially if it rolls over from year to year.  If you use it or lose it, then that may be why the company has the culture it has.  My recommendations for your choosing are these:

1. If you are relatively new to the company, try to conform and take long weekends, maybe longer than others, but only by one day or two.  Tack on a Friday to a Monday holiday or a Tuesday after that Monday holiday.
2. Have you noticed that everyone does take time off at Christmas time or during Spring break for the kids?  If so, and that seems to be more acceptable, join in.  
3. Ask someone who has been there longer the reason(s) behind the not taking the vacation culture.
4. Talk to someone in Human Resources his/her take on the piling up of vacation days?  Be sure they know you aren’t complaining, just wondering.
5. If you are willing to be an adventurer, take a one week vacation this year.   Check out the reaction leading up to and following that vacation.   See if anyone else follows suit.

Most of all let your own health and situation guide what you do, if you need that time off to be a constructive member of the team, make that well known and take off.  Be sure you come back refreshed and ready to take on the world.   Best of luck!   Signed JJ