Soon it's summer! With July and August fast approaching, many people are getting ready to enjoy some much needed time off.
And vacations really are great, because they help us refresh, recharge and rejuvenate - which in turn should lead to improved performance once we return to work. But many people still fear leaving the office, and worry about the consequences of not being there. And to be honest, there's normally a lot to do before or after the holidays! 😅
According to our report, 38% reported uncomfortable working conditions resulting from labor shortage. This challenge grows even bigger during time periods when many want to be off.
But the fear itself shouldn’t stop you from taking some well-deserved time off. To help you get everything in order for the summer season (and truly enjoy sipping that cocktail while swinging in your hammock), we’ve put together 5 tips that help you and your team.
1. Plan and prepare
Planning and preparation are key. The better you plan and the better you prepare, the easier it will be for you to let go of work. You'll have the confidence that you’ve left everything in the best shape possible.
But planning means prioritising and look into the future; what needs to get done, how many customers will you get vs how many employees will work, and what needs to be done straight when you're back to biz.
Make a list, start crossing things off, and begin at least two weeks (!) before you go. This will stop the frantic rush in the last few days, and will save you a lot of time and stress!
2. Dare to delegate
Here’s a secret for you...the business won’t collapse as soon as you leave. We all like to be ‘work martyrs’ from time to time, but the reality is things can and will go on without us.
However, you’ll make life much easier for yourself and your staff by delegating effectively before you go. Trust your team and empower them to take ownership and make decisions while you’re away. They’ll thank you for it and it also gives them the recognition they deserve. Find out how you can engage and recognise your staff here.
3. Use mobile devices wisely
No one wants to spend their vacation glued to their phone. In fact, we’d advise having times where you turn it off completely. However, if you need to check in and relieve some of the worry, then do it!
A workforce management app is a great way for managers to see at-a-glance what is happening in the workplace.
4. Manage your schedule
If anyone knows how important good scheduling is, it’s us! When it comes to planning your team's schedule, make sure you look at previous years or let AI do the math to calculate your demand forecasting.
Also add time before you go to finalise everything on your checklist. When you return you’ll need time to catch up, so give yourself that time. Your reward? You’ll come back up to speed much quicker.
5. Be realistic
Don’t try and cram in too much before you go, you’ll end up creating a whole heap of unnecessary stress. Just because you’re going on vacation, you don't have to overachieve before you you'll leave. Be realistic about what you can do, and then set aside time to tick things off the list.
The most important thing about a vacation is to enjoy it. And to pack your sunscreen if you’re going somewhere hot!
We spend a lot of time working so the time we have to ourselves is always precious. Make the most of it, in whatever way you want to. This is your recovery time and if you use it well, you’ll return to work ready to reach new heights.
If you need any help with prepping your summer schedule, just let us know!
