If Memorial Day Weekend got you feeling ready for another summer vacation, look no further! Keep reading below to find out the best ways to initiate, plan ahead, and execute time off from work as effortlessly as possible. Especially for those of us who live in climates with long winters and cold months, it is so important to take advantage of your benefits and PTO by planning out some time for R&R and to enjoy being outdoors!

Communicate and Anticipate:

If you are planning to ask for time off, make sure to read any company policies in order to make sure you are following all guidelines. For example, if your company requires that you give notice of your request at least 4 weeks prior to your desired vacation, plan as far ahead as possible to be able to do so and request the dates that work best for YOU! It’s always better to ask way ahead of time so as to ensure that your manager will have time to prepare for your absence and allocate your assignments to other employees.

Tips on How and When to Ask:

• Ask during “down” times: This may seem obvious, but make sure you are asking at a time that is both right for you and for the company. If you are swamped with projects, wait until the busy period is over and everything has cooled down (keep this in mind for your boss as well – if they are super busy, leaving in the midst may leave a negative impression on the team). In the summer, downtime often wraps around the July 4th weekend and both work weeks before and directly after.
• Prepare: If you know that you are going on your vacation soon, make sure all of your work is complete beforehand. Even if this requires some extra hours in the office, they will pay off in the future by showing your teammates that you care to leave them in a secure position to take on some of your responsibilities.
• Communicate: On the same note as leaving minimal work to your teammates, make sure to communicate (through email or other written dialogue) to all appropriate parties that you’re leaving and when. That way everyone will know what to expect once you’re gone!
• Collaborate with your coworkers: There will always be “popular” times to take off work. Divide these days up and work as a team with your coworkers to maximize each employee’s satisfaction.
• Extra note for new employees: Remember that if you are new to a job, you are expected to be prepared, productive, and most importantly, present. We recommend that you do not ask for time off within the first several months of your job if you can avoid it.

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