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"Ask the Expert" -Liz Bywater, PhD

Liz Bywater, PhD, answers your questions about advancing your career, improving on-the-job performance and effectively navigating workplace relationships. Questions should be directed to Liz@BywaterConsultingGroup.com. Please include “Ask the Expert” in the subject line.

Dear Liz,

This may sound like a funny problem to some, but it’s a genuine concern to me. I’ve got a number of employees who fail to use their accrued vacation time. I worry that they are on the fast track to burning out. How can I tell whether this is really a problem and not just my own unnecessary worry?

- JW, New York

Dear JW,

Rest assured, you pose a valid concern. There’s nothing funny about employees neglecting their vacation time. The fact is, none of us is designed to work, work, work without taking occasional time off to recharge our proverbial batteries. We human beings absolutely require breaks from the every day stresses and demands of work in order to refresh ourselves, to process and consolidate information, and to maintain some degree of healthy balance in our lives.

Neglect of personal and vacation time can certainly lead to employee burnout. Signs of burnout include:

• Reduced productivity
  
  
• Increased irritability and/or conflict with coworkers
  
  
• Unintended weight gain or loss
  
  
• Decreased energy and/or ability to focus
  
  
• Reduced motivation and/or participation
  
  
• Decreased creativity
  

If you’re concerned about a particular employee, why not engage her in conversation? Encourage her to take some well-deserved time off and reassure her that you’ve got her covered while she’s away from the office. If she’s particularly resistant to taking her vacation time – and you’re especially concerned about her well being and continued performance – you may need to force the issue. Be sure she understands that your concern is an indication of your genuine interest in her continued success.

Liz Bywater, PhD, is a consultant and coach to corporate executives, managers, and independent business owners. She consults, writes, and speaks on a variety of work-related topics, including workplace performance, outstanding leadership, and effective communication skills. To learn more, visit her at http://www.bywaterconsultinggroup.com. To subscribe to her complementary e-newsletter, filled with tips on improving performance, send an email to Liz@BywaterConsultingGroup.com.

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