The Problem with Vacation Time

[kybearfuzz]

I'm one of those rare individuals who get stuck with the "use or lose" vacation time at the end of the year. I need to enjoy it more, but this year in particular has gotten away from me. I have nearly two weeks of vacation to burn by December 31.

I've scheduled some time off for Thanksgiving and Christmas and still have four days left. Due to my work load right now, I'm not sure I can take them all off as a group.

What would be better? To take off all Fridays in a month? All Mondays? Leave two hours early every day for 16 days?

Decisions, decisions....

Comments

[spatts5.livejournal.com]

I'd take the Fridays off.

[barak.livejournal.com]

Take two days off every other week and have really, really long weekends through the end of the year.

[dendren.livejournal.com]

I think I'd go for every Friday off. Taking it for 2 hours a day I think wouldn't get you the rest you need (which is what vacation is for) and prolly put more stress on your workload trying to squeeze in 6 hour days.

[bruinwi.livejournal.com]

My company also has a "use or lose" policy regarding vacation time, but I've never found it to be a point of crisis near year's end. Since I've never used it, I don't miss it when the next year rolls around; I STILL end up with more than I know what to do with.

Sorry, but it's not transferable.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I need to burn more leave during the summer when I can. I've already capped out on my transferable leave. :)

[bruinwi.livejournal.com]

OK....I can understand why one would WANT to use their vacation time (I'll be taking a week next July to travel to Denver), but I don't understand the NEED to use vacation time.

Am I splitting hairs over semantics?

[jccub1.livejournal.com]

I reckon every Friday off - I'd LOVE to work a four day week for a month or two. However I'd probably get used to it and then miss it terribly when I went back to five day weeks.

But I'm a moaning minnie.

[texwriterbear.livejournal.com]

I would take the Fridays off myself!!!

[boobooirl.livejournal.com]

Why not go to your boss and tell him you NEED to take a week off?
From the sound of things lately, a week away would do you the world of good.

(and after being gone for a week, they'll realise how much they need you!)

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I don't know if a week would do it. I know my old boss in KC didn't realize how much work I did until I was gone a month or two and things slowed down considerably. That was oddly satisfying, especially after he'd given me so much grief when I was there.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

The best solution would be for companies to realize that they should let their valued employees carry over PTO.

I'd take three day weekends and trips:)

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I need to do that more.

[mort-83.livejournal.com]

I'd take the Friday off and go on a weekend trip or two.

[prisoncitybear.livejournal.com]

Fridays are my non-teaching days, so it's nice to have the day to do stuff. However, Mondays suck ass. There is something delicious about going to bed on Sunday night knowing that you don't have to get up with the rest of the world the next day.
T

[ricksf.livejournal.com]

If you possibly can, take the time in one burp. Why? It gives you the option of traveling which is much tougher with 3-4 day weekends. I regret that I sacrificed opportunities to see some of this world on the altar of work. Secondly, we all need a breather from day-to-day routine.

But if you just cannot get that much time all at once, go for extended weekends and plan some fun. The saddest thing to me is having a 3 day weekend and on the eve of returning to work thinking "jeez, I didn't do anything!".

Just my $0.02