Expert Advice: Take Your PTO

As we near the end of the summer, the time for cookouts, beach weekends and family trips is almost at an end. While the office may look emptier than usual as coworkers take days off for summer fun, many of us are still not taking advantage of our vacation time. According to a recent survey, 658 million vacation days went unused in the U.S. in 2015. This statistic is the latest in a worrisome trend; millions of vacation days are wasted annually, with more and more days going unused every year.

Instead of hitting the beach, Americans increasingly skip vacation days, opting instead to keep working. And frankly, we’re already overworked. According to a 2015 Gallup poll, almost 40% of Americans reported working more than 50 hours per week. Not only that, but we’re constantly connected (and typically working) wherever we are since mobile devices and email make it harder to leave work at the office.

Unfortunately, all this time spent working doesn’t necessarily mean we’re getting a lot done. Over time, overwork can erode productivity, and too many hours spent in the office or on work tasks can directly contribute to feelings of burnout and disengagement. Our clients spend substantial time and money trying to alleviate this issue through workplace design, but it’s easier said than done.

One way to encourage productivity is to boost employee health. We know from the 2016 Workplace Trends whitepaper that supporting mental and physical well-being in the workplace can result in measurable productivity gains and higher employee satisfaction. While it may seem counterintuitive, one of the best ways to promote this productivity and engagement may be to actually get employees out of the office—at least for a few days.

Beyond organizational impacts, work hours can directly affect our health and well-being. According to a recent medical study, working as little as one extra hour per day can significantly raise your risk of heart disease and stroke. That’s enough incentive to take some well-deserved time off.

So why don’t we?

Many workers say they are too overwhelmed with home and work responsibilities to take time off or that they don’t have the time or money for a trip. A limited number of vacation days can also cause workers to be more judicious with their time off; many save days off for holidays or family commitments.

In an effort to extend more flexibility to employees and encourage them to take their PTO, some companies are experimenting with offering extended or unlimited vacation days. Netflix is one such example; the company has offered unlimited vacation days for over ten years!

While unlimited vacation may not be the answer for every organization, it is worth considering how organizational policies can affect work-life balance and mental well-being. After all, employees who take time off report returning to work feeling more relaxed, refreshed and able to be productive.

Imagine if fewer vacation days went unused. Organizations could boost employee satisfaction and productivity more easily than ever before.

As the summer nears its end and we gear up for the back-to-school season, think about taking some vacation time—whether that’s a day, a few days or a week—to relax, recharge and prepare for the busy months ahead. While you may think you’ll never find the time (and instead, you may have to make time), you’ll be glad you did. Taking just a day or two off can do great things for your mental and physical well-being.