If your employees rarely take vacation time, you probably think nothing of it. Actually, you might even be glad they’re spending more time in the office, because this seems like the more productive route — but it’s not.
Your team is fantastic, but they’re only human, and they need a break. Pay close attention, because if they’re not taking their well-earned vacation days, they’ll burnout. Find out why you need to make taking time off a requirement.
5 Reasons to Make Sure Employees Use PTO
Promote Healthy Living
No matter how much your employees enjoy their work, they need time away from the office to decompress. Whether they jet off to a tropical paradise or enjoy a staycation, they’ll return relaxed, refreshed, and happy. Healthy employees are able to produce a much higher quality of output, so put your people first.
Boost Creativity
When employees are in a constant state of exhaustion, it’s hard for them to come up with original thoughts. However, the creative juices start to flow when people are able to get away from work for a few days. A change of scenery and the chance to rest up will leave them feeling inspired. Don’t be surprised when they return to work filled with innovative ideas.
Increase Job Satisfaction
Being in a constant state of work-induced stress doesn’t make employees happy. Consequently, this causes many people to seek other opportunities. In fact, 95% of HR professionals who responded to a November 2016 survey conducted by Morar Consulting believe employee burnout is sabotaging workforce retention.
Reduce Your Bottom Line
Not requiring employees to take their paid time off can be costly in many ways. If you pay people for days not cashed in, this can add up very quickly. Sure, there’s plenty of indirect costs associated with having people out of the office, but that won’t leave you with a hefty bill of unpaid PTO at the end of the year.
Encourage Cross-Training
It’s never wise to have one employee be the only person who knows how to complete a certain task. However, if people aren’t using their vacation days, this will likely be commonplace at your company. At this rate, burnout is inevitable, so when they quit or fall ill, chaos will ensue. When people are required to take vacation, they’ll have to cross-train their peers, which is an all-around win.
If you don’t remember the last time you took a vacation, combat burnout by teaming up with ECS. We provide compliant professional payrolling and independent contractor management services to employers and back-office, funding, and employer of record service to recruiters nationally. Contact us today to get started!