The HR vacay: 3 tips to make taking time off better | 2-minute video

Thinking about an HR vacay?

Maybe take some time off now that open enrollment is finally over? Or maybe plan one for the New Year?

We believe you should do more than think about a vacation from work: You should actually take it.

Why you need an HR vacay

For one, you know you deserve it. Secondly, you encourage employees to use their PTO, so you should set an example. Finally — and this should come as no surprise — Harvard researchers find that vacation helps reduce stress and improve overall well-being.

Here, in our 3-Point from HRMorning video series, we had a little fun with our panel of HR leaders and experts. We asked them where they preferred to vacation. Some were adamant on where to go. Others were torn between locations. And one let us know exactly what she enjoys most about being on her ideal vacay.

Click, watch and listen for more details on where the HR vacay could be. Most importantly, pay closer attention to our three tips on how to effectively get away so you feel relaxed on vacay and recharged when you get back.

Transcript (edited for clarity):

You know vacation is good for you. But apparently you aren’t actually taking it.

More than half of Americans don’t use all their vacation time, according to the U.S. Travel Association. We leave 768 million vacation days unused.

It’s astonishing, especially because Harvard researchers found vacation helps reduce stress and improve overall well-being. Fortunately, HR pros have vacay on their minds. But where?

Priori: Beach.

Leschke-Kahle: Oh, I’m gonna go mountain, definitely mountain.

Link: Oh, mountains, because I can live without the sand.

Smith: Ah, beach, yeah!

Karsh: I think I’m a beach person. But mountains are pretty good, too.

Burch: Oh, beach — 100%. Although I love it all. But I’m all about the pina coladas on the beach!

Regardless of where or how you vacation – especially with the holidays here —  you need to get away from all the pressures at work. But how? First off:

• Plan it. Divvy up what must be done while you’re gone. Pass off one duty each to trusted colleagues so no one is overwhelmed.
• Ditch it. Let go of some low-level tasks. In the absence, you might find some things don’t need to be handled as often or at all.
• Forget it. Set up auto responses in all your communication channels, letting people know you’re out and won’t respond. And then, most importantly, don’t look at email and work apps while you’re gone.

Mountains, beach or anything in between, use your time off to disconnect, relax and refresh. After all, you deserve it.