4 Important Steps to Take Before Your Summer Holiday or Timeshare Vacation

CareerBuilder’s annual survey has found that workers feel they need a vacation this year more than ever. Roughly 56 percent of the working population says they are more in need of a vacation in 2010 than they have been in past years.

Besides needing a summer holiday, timeshare vacation, or recreational travel, 36 percent of the US workforce surveyed (more than 4800 people) say they feel more comfortable about taking a vacation this year than they did last year, and attribute that feeling to a general sense that the economy is improving.

Career Builder‘s research shows that 64 percent of workers say they have already taken a vacation or have one planned. Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder says, “It is good news that workers’ anxiety around taking vacation time appears to be lessening this year compared to last. Now workers need to follow through and actually utilize their full vacation benefits; 15 percent reported that they didn’t use all of their allotted time last year. Utilizing time off to recharge batteries is even more important today as staffs have shrunk over the last 18 months and workers are dealing with added responsibilities and pressure.”

Here are four important steps to take so that you can truly enjoy your time off and not feel as if you are still tied to your job.

1. Plan early.

Staffing in many workplaces has been reduced which means jockeying for your desired days off can be challenging. Pre-planning is also valuable in scheduling your timeshare vacation if you are considering timeshare exchange. But even if you find yourself facing last minute travel, there are always great deals you can pick up in timeshare rentals, typically for far less than you pay at a hotel.

2. Have someone in place to pick up the slack.
If you can, coordinate with a coworker so that he or she can be on the alert for red flags, deadlines, and other “office fires” that can come up in your absence. If you have already filled someone in on the possibilities, that person may be able to take necessary action without interrupting your relaxation—just be prepared to return the favor for it is his or her turn to take holiday time.

3. If you have to work during your timeshare vacation or summer holiday, do it during a scheduled time.
Let your office or co-workers know you will make yourself available to them during certain hours each day. Work when you have to, and then put the stress of work time on the back burner during the other hours of the day.

4. Start a trend.
If you demonstrate your skill in managing vacation time and work time, others in your office will follow suit. As the vacation experts at VacationBetter.org remind us, “…studies point to increased stress levels, health risks and strained relationships as contributing factors from too much work and not enough vacation.” It only stands to reason that if and your coworkers all manage some much needed time for vacation, overall workplace productivity should increase while stress levels decrease.

(Source: www.careerbuilder.com)