You can reach me at [alternate contact info]. To request permission for specific items, click on the reuse permissions button on the page where you find the item. Essentially, we reduce the individual reps sales goal for the month by a ratio equivalent to the number of days off. Encourage holiday talk in your company. There's more to PTO than making adjustments at the end of the year. John Linden, an interior designer at MirrorCoop, a custom-mirror company in Los Angeles, was so desperate for employees to take time off that he began buying them tickets to local museums so they might consider fun and socially distanced activities for their days off. Next year, youll have [CARRY OVER AMOUNT + NEW YEAR AMOUNT] in holiday leave. Ease the numbness induced with back-to-back video calls and a long to-do list by reinventing vacations and time off, and encouraging your team to do the same. Change the Way PTO is Discussed in Your Office. When working from home, encourage your employees to consider vacations as tools for focused family time, caregiving, and self-care. 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. Drew Gieseke is an aPHR-certified marketing professional who writes about HR, compliance, and healthcare solutions. Vacation Request Email to Boss Sample: 4 Examples Holiday Request Letter to Manager: 4 Templates Annual Leave Letter: 4 Templates Leave Extension Letter Example: 4 Templates Holiday Request Letter example: 4 Templates Engineer Farewell Letter: 28 templates Leave of Absence Letter Template: 4 Emails Leave Application Confirmation Letter: 4 Templates 1) all the projects you recently finished or are currently working on. 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. 10 Types of Leaves to Include in Your Leave Policy, How to Manage Remote Employees over Microsoft Teams. Leave request email template. Smith speculated that employees didn't see the point in taking time off when they were working from home just to stay at home. Follow this simple memo to staff on . That is why I would encourage employees to take days off by recommending they spend time with their families. The point is, you now have the information on hand. 'We understand you can't travel. 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! Start your free one-month trial today. A vacation leave letter is a written request from employees to their company asking for approval for time off. We are keen to hear your thoughts on the best way to motivate everyone in the workplace to get involved with our drive to be more energy efficient. Likewise, as mentioned above, employers might want to completely rework their PTO benefits for the new year. If you have any queries, you can reach our department of [Mention the details] at [mention phone number] or send your questions through an email at [mention the email address]. Model time away, standardize. Template: Check PTO Status HR Reminder Redefine vacations to mean more than just recreation and travel to include family time, caregiving, and self-care. Second, you also get Timetastics Firewire, which is sent out quarterly to you and any department managers you have on your team. This power move does two things: One, it communicates that taking a vacation is okay and two, it reinforces that your company prioritizes employee wellness. Be open and transparent. To give the company time to finalize schedules, team members are expected to submit requests by [date] through [communication method]. How can you encourage employees to take vacation days? var currentLocation = getCookie("SHRM_Core_CurrentUser_LocationID"); For additional queries, you can reach our department of [Mention the details] at [mention phone number] or directly through an email at [mention the email address]. "Make it mandatory," says Profico. advise the employee you would like them to take some of their annual leave, and. HR and managers may find that employees have questions about their time-off benefits throughout the year, including if they can use PTO during their two weeks notice and if employers have the right to turn down time-off requests. Many have rediscovered activities within their immediate reach. If you have any questions about your leave balance, or how to book leave, please reach out to your manager. Shift your organizations expectations from what youd do on a traditional vacation or even a staycation to envision creative ways to relax using resources lying in plain sight. Knowing who on your team is at risk of burnout or who has a lot of leave left to use is a huge win. With people understandably fearful about their employment, employers need to set up and give people the mental break they need. 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. This program has been very successful in encouraging actual vacation time, which helps our people come back well-rested and ready to continue on our mission. Asking employees to take a mandatory leave of absence can give both the employer and employee time to evaluate. This allows your employees to start thinking of dates they might like to request off. Note: This is what it looks like when you book a holiday using our mobile app. SHRM Employment Law & Compliance Conference, Heres How to Encourage Employees to Take PTO, New OSHA Guidance Clarifies Return-to-Work Expectations, Trump Suspends New H-1B Visas Through 2020, Faking COVID-19 Illness Can Have Serious Consequences, Report: Managers Have Bigger Impact on Employee Mental Health than Therapists, How to Handle Overtime, Meal Break and Other Wage and Hour Crises. These Three Words Describe Me in The Best Way. How to Encourage Your Team to Use Employee Vacation Time 1. Taking time off might seem like an unnecessary luxury given that we all have deadlines looming over our heads all day long; however, these breaks allow both employers and employees to get away from our desks so they can relax and come back refreshed when they return. This letter is to inform you from [mention the name of the company or the organization for which the sender is writing this letter] that I, the [mention designation of the sender] of [mention name of the department], would like to encourage you to take a vacation from your work for some days. $(document).ready(function () { To help employees feel comfortable taking time off, its important to set up an out-of-office reply that promotes relaxation. use up to four hours of administrative leave time, or your sick time. "In the middle of a global pandemic? This can help managers optimize workload delegation. The company thinks that you truly deserve this vacation, and we hope you will consider our effort to appreciate your hard work and will take this opportunity. The way that vacation and PTO are talked about at your company is going to make a huge difference in people taking time off. By giving your team the tools they need to see how much leave they have left to use, and book new requests, youre giving them what they need to take their holiday leave throughout the year. If you have any questions about your leave balance, or how to reschedule your leave, please reach out to your manager. year after restoration (i.e., restored in leave year 2013 to be used by the end of leave year 2014). SHRM's HR Knowledge Advisors offer guidance and resources to assist members with their HR inquiries. 2. Moreover, vacations can also help employees stay healthy by encouraging them to exercise and eat better habits. In an age where 24/7 connectivity and increasing workloads are the norms, it can be hard for employees to take time off. Working from home doesnt mean working all the time. Now that there is a boundary, people want to take time off, she explained. Vacation Request Letter: 4 Templates and Emails, Vacation Request Email to Boss Sample: 4 Examples, Holiday Request Letter to Manager: 4 Templates, Leave Extension Letter Example: 4 Templates, Holiday Request Letter example: 4 Templates, Leave Application Confirmation Letter: 4 Templates, Leave of Absence Letter Template: 4 Emails, Commercial Credit Analyst Cover Letter Example: 4 Templates, Commercial PropertyManager Cover Letter Example: 4 Templates, Commercial Real Estate Broker Cover Letter Example: 4 Templates, Commis Chef Cover Letter Example: 4 Templates, Clinical Application Specialist Cover Letter Example: 4 Templates. We send two emails per month max. Generally, there's no formal consequences for not using your mandatory vacation time. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concernsI look forward to hearing from you soon!. Many HR professionals report that they've struggled with how to address this trend because vacation is such a sensitive topic. "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. But, according to Balsamiq founder Giacomo Guilizzoni, "It instills an opposite kind of guilt: If I don't take my 20 days I will set a bad example for my team." Make unlimited vacation time work Use the following template to remind employees to check their PTO status before the end of the year: As we approach the end of the year, now is the time to check your PTO status to determine if you need to take any time off before your benefit resets. We set very clear performance metrics with our employees and allow them flexibility in accomplishing those goals. For instance, you can give your employees the tools to help them unplug from work. In, Template: PTO Communication to Remind Employees to Use Time Off Hours, more productive and exhibit lower stress and better mental health, There's more to PTO than making adjustments at the end of the year. In this post, we gave you three sample letters you can send to your team to remind them they have annual leave left to use or letting them know that leave will be carried over. You want your employees to take a break from their work and enjoy the world outside. It contributes to a great company culture. Managers are also encouraged to be vocal about taking shorter amounts of time off. Using this circular for declaring holiday format, you can write leave circular for your own company. if(currentUrl.indexOf("/about-shrm/pages/shrm-china.aspx") > -1) { They influence President Biden signed the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act into law on December 29, 2022 BerniePortal is the all-in-one HR software solution at a fair price, so HR can focus on providing a good place to work. 4.2.2 Earning Vacation. Thank you for a great year. Sabina Nawaz. This person can then quickly approve or decline the request, with a full view of any potential holiday clashes in the app. (Campaign Monitor,2019) 3. 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. Hi everyone. Employees receive their allotted PTO at the beginning of the calendar year. You must provide the employee with notice that you require them to take annual leave, in line with the . A. shows that employees who take a lunch break are more likely to be satisfied with their job, and say they are as effective and efficient as they would like to be. They considered creating a vacation bank that would accept donations of employees' unused PTO that could be tapped by colleagues facing extraordinary circumstances, but that was found to be too complicated to administer. This letter is to inform [mention the name of the person] from [mention the name of the company or the organization to which you are writing this letter] that I the [mention designation of yours] of [mention name of the company and the organization] would like to encourage you to take a vacation from your work for few days. Encourage managers to set an example by utilizing their vacation time. However, while the number of hours worked is soaring, peoples capacity to focus and produce quality work is diving. Some organizations, such as the Assure Women's Center in Omaha, Neb., opted to let employees carry over more vacation time. The best paid time off tracking software (3 options), The best vacation tracking software (2 options), The best annual leave calendar for your business, The best way to track employee time off: plus, 2 alternative methods. Please purchase a SHRM membership before saving bookmarks. But these templates really just help you organise your thoughts. When was the last time you used your PTO to take a vacation? Teams are feeling . Yet, few employees feel comfortable taking the time off they need, especially as travel plans and other vacations are cancelled. 3. "People don't have a lot of control right now, and they are trying to control what they can.". I Am a Self-Taught Marketer with 10 Years of Experience. What Is the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). Gain the intel you need now to successfully anticipate and navigate employment laws, stay compliant and mitigate legal risks. I will be traveling to visit my parents/taking family vacation time. You also want them to come back feeling refreshed and ready for another round of productivity. You have successfully saved this page as a bookmark. I've included a sample email template to send to your team today. 2. Be an example by taking and enjoying time off yourself. How Will the Anti-Work Movement Impact Businesses? Practice what you preach. Encourage Employees to Take Vacation with a Mindful Vacation Policy An effective employee vacation policy isn't just about the accrual of leave balances and the scheduling of vacations. Improving the quality of your break room gives employees the feeling that they are a valuable asset to the company and their overall happiness is essential. Does the organization pay out unused time off? So it becomes your responsibility to motivate such employees sometimes to take vacation leaves for a few days, and to help you create the appropriate letter for that, I have written some sample letters which you can refer to. Helping to Minimize Lost Days 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. What you say is less important than what you do. It's important to start having conversations about holiday plans with staff now, even if it's just small talk about how they plan to take a break before the end of the year, MirrorCoop's Linden said. In our company time off policy, it states that [X AMOUNT] of your annual leave will be carried over into the next year. People will be scared and caring about their health and source of income. You may want your employees to feel like theyre getting enough sleep, eating well, and exercisingand also having fun! 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. The best way to encourage employees is by setting an example yourself. Your session has expired. We know that not everyone feels comfortable taking time off work, but trust me: its worth it! Learn how SHRM Certification can accelerate your career growth by earning a SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP. someone who can approve or decline leave requests) logs into Timetastic, they can see the remaining leave allowances for everyone on the team. It's also important to clearly indicate who approves someone's holiday requests. 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. "With the holidays coming up, we'll continue to remind employees that taking time to recharge benefits everyone, and it will help them be in a better mindset for what will hopefully be a much less chaotic 2021," she said. Download Template : (pdf, docs, ODT, RTF, txt, HTML, Epub, Etc), Subject: Letter to Encourage Employees to Take Vacations. But do your employees? Something went wrong. Many HR professionals across the country are struggling with how to convince employees to take vacation. We know it can be difficult to remember, especially when youre in the middle of a busy day, but taking small breaks throughout the day will actually help keep you and your employees feeling energized, happy and inspired. 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. - John Lie-Nielsen, One Park Financial 5. Finally, employers can simply remind employees to take their time off before the end of the year. We strongly recommend taking vacation time during this pandemic. Restored leave still remaining to the employee's credit at the end of this period will be forfeited without the right to further restoration. 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. By using a human resources information system (HRIS) like BerniePortal, HR can make this enhanced employee handbook available for everyone on the team with a few clicks. Ensure youre clear about your organizations current time-off policy and communicate it to your team. On A Mission to Help Small Businesses to Be a Brand. If they see the boss working nonstop, they. Sample email. Why it's in your interest for staff to take leave. Its time to make it a habit for your employees to unplug from work often, taking into account their mental well-being. Let them know that, Its time to make it a habit for your employees to unplug from work often, taking into account their, One of the most important things you can do to ensure that your employees are able to enjoy their time off is to create company, Encouraging your employees to take vacations. Employees need to feel that their organization understands work-life balance and that they are encouraged to take time away from the office. Here are five ways to encourage your employees to take a holiday leave: 1. We live in Virginia and many drives that are beautiful. Please confirm that you want to proceed with deleting bookmark. Suddenly, a majority of people within an organization want to take time off. (Enovapoint, 2021) Using a name rather than a department in the sender line. A leave allows the workers to have a break to rest and re-energize themselves for their future work. A smaller share (16 percent) are requiring employees to take vacation time, and another 22 percent are planning to take or considering that approach. Have a Clear Employee Vacation Policy First, make sure your employee vacation policy is clearly outlined. You can reach me at [alternate contact info]. 2. We are so happy to have you back at the Sunshine House. With nowhere to go and much to adjust to, most people have cancelled not only their travel reservations but their time off as well. Virtual & Washington, DC | February 26-28, 2023. This strategy will give everyone equal opportunities when it comes to making decisions about how they spend their free time outside of work hours. Please log in as a SHRM member before saving bookmarks. Some of the best human resource policies and practices are implemented accordingly as the workforce are aware how these can help them have a better work . Sending it in the morning leaves time for your coworkers to get any clarification before you leave. By setting out a clear policy and making leave easy to book, business owners can set a precedent that taking leave from work is encouraged. Sales may also be the job that needs time off the most. "It ended up that a lot of people were not able to use their vacation," said Barb Malek, the center's operations director. var temp_style = document.createElement('style'); "Then you know what they have planned, and you can encourage them to follow up on it and take the time off.". Otherwise, theyll burn out quickly (and possibly quit). Also, push your team to unplug for at least a day on the weekend, never checking any work messages. Gain the intel you need now to successfully anticipate and navigate employment laws, stay compliant and mitigate legal risks. Employees accrue 15 days of vacation for the first year of employment and 20 days of vacation each year after the first year. Need help with a specific HR issue like coronavirus or FLSA? 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. Drew Gieseke Unsubscribe anytime. Then encourage employees to incorporate those activities into their daily routine so they dont forget about them. By providing a modest assortment of refreshments, snack options, and kitchen appliances, you'll make sure your employees feel like a critical part of the team. When the economy is unstable, employers are faced with difficult decisions around staffing, pay and benefits. "They were very relieved [by the change in policy], and we are trying to reward them as much as possible for their work.". 3) who you are leaving in charge of any project should an emergency or immediate question arise. This leave can make you more motivated and help you perform more effectively. It can cause no symptoms, some symptoms, serious illness . We have noticed that you have been working tirelessly for a long time without taking any type of leaves. Employees need time to rest and enjoy themselves outside work. } 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. One way to encourage employees to take some time off is to have, Provide a list of fun activities or places nearby that are great for taking a break (e.g., If its nice out, try going on a hike!), Offer tips on how to stay focused on work while away from the office (e.g., Turn off notifications so they dont distract them!). If you're going to be on vacation for a week or two, then it's essential you set up your vacation email. Here are a few samples to help you draft the perfect vacation request letter. 1. [Give a reason for sending the incorrect mail according to you in your own words, this is just an example given]. You, your team, and your directors. document.head.append(temp_style); You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. 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. This is especially helpful in getting high performers or those gunning for a promotion to take vacation time. Dear Valued Customer, We are beyond grateful for your continued support and loyalty to our brand and services. Taking time off is something many people will avoid when job security is at the forefront of someones mind. Taking time off is important and we want you to be able to use your holiday. Members may download one copy of our sample forms and templates for your personal use within your organization. Plus, you want to give them an easy way to book time off, so they dont need to jump through hoops or read the fine print of a complicated leave request policy just to take a holiday. } Another option is for HR to implement PTO blackout dates. Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes. PTO will be available to exempt and non-exempt employees. To recap, here's how to ask for time off: Tip#1: Send a vacation request email weeks in advance. In this section, we show how Timetastic, our staff leave app, helps your team take their holidays throughout the year. 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. Help staff ease back into work after their leave. Pay attention to your email's header and the design of its body . One of the most important things you can do to ensure that your employees are able to enjoy their time off is to create company holidays. To help businesses, Paycor is offering businesses a sample communication letter sharing your vaccination policy. Though annual leave is part of the compulsory benefits of a regular employee, it is always a good gesture when you planned it ahead of time and inform you immediate superior about it.These are the things that you need to consider before writing the letter: 1. Once downloaded, you can customize the text . Others are more likely to follow when company policies express and your behaviors demonstrate what you most value. This could include switching from an accrual bank or lump sum benefit to unlimited PTO, which eliminates the risk of expensive year-end payouts for unused vacation days. For example, women academics are publishing fewer papers, presumably because of their disproportionate responsibility at home. Many volunteers have been reluctant to go to the center amid the pandemic, which made it difficult for the 43 employees to take time off. Taking time off should be encouraged by companies and managers to promote employee wellness, happiness, and productivity in the workplace. [Include Template 4] Thanks, Your HR Team TEMPLATE 4: Managers Team Involvement (Every 6 months) Hello Team! 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. Sample Welcome Back Letter From Sick Leave. If you can, make a notice as early as 2 months before the actual leave.This will make you look responsible and a good planner. You can show them that work-life balance is important by: Employees are busy, and it can be easy to forget about the vacation days theyve accrued over the past year. "Time off gives you the opportunity to recharge. This will help ensure that your employees use their paid time off and dont miss out on valuable benefits. So why not encourage your employees to try scheduling an extra day off on a Friday or Monday once in a while? 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. Here are five tactics that can make a difference: 1. HR leaders should also train managers on vacation policies, and encourage employees to speak to HR if they have concerns about taking time off. part-a (to be filled up by. We've all missed you, and the residents have been anxious for your return. 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;}'; What Is a Dependent Care FSA and How Does It Work? Leaders can show employees they value this by taking time off themselves. 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. In this case, make a simple process for reaching out and interacting with coworkers to find coverage for time off. If employees are constantly connected to their colleagues and the office, theyre more likely to feel like they need to be at their desks answering emails and taking calls. Establish firm availability boundaries for yourself and share what you did during your time off. If you're in HR, use this email template to communicate to your staff regarding coronavirus and flu prevention. Subject: Request for one week vacation leave. We need to refuel early and often. With varying demands for inter-generational care and self-care, encourage your employees to take the time they need to balance competing priorities. var temp_style = document.createElement('style'); to. Lisa Rabasca Roepe is a freelance writer based in Arlington, Va. You have successfully saved this page as a bookmark. Taking a break from work can be a great way to recharge and re-energize, but it can also do a lot for your mental and physical health. Template for external staff letter. Employees need to feel that their organization understands work-life balance and that they are encouraged to take. This was the concern one of my clients recently. Itll be a great way to recharge their batteries without sacrificing any work hours. A policy that is clear and available to all shows that you, as the employer, value the importance of vacation time for employees.