The holiday season is months off, but if we’ve learned anything during the pandemic, it’s this: Time flies. Don’t leave your earned vacation time on the table.
Taking time away from work can help you avoid burnout, and decompression time doesn’t have to involve a destination. But employees across the country have been stockpiling vacation time as uncertainties about when the pandemic will end stack up.
If you’ve pinned your hopes on a back-to-normal holiday season, consider that you’re not alone. With some employers not rolling over PTO, the use-it-or-lose-it requirement could cause a crunch come holiday request season.
Some tips:
- Talk to your supervisor about the end-of-year staffing plan. With uncertainties like the presidential election, traditional holiday staffing needs may be altered.
- Submit your requests as early as possible, even if you don’t have concrete plans to travel.
- Ask your employer what, if any, PTO will roll over into 2021, and by when it must be used.
- Get creative: If you’d rather not take a week off, schedule three-day weekends through the end of the year.
- If you don’t plan to use your time, for whatever reason, ask about a payout for your accrued PTO.
Tags: Self-care