Tip#4: Ease any concerns about finishing your projects on time. One of the things employers can do to encourage PTO is to reduce meetings, which allows employees to have a clear schedule and take time off without fear of missing out on work information or opportunities, some experts say. Many HR professionals report that they've struggled with how to address this trend because vacation is such a sensitive topic. If you havent taken a vacation yet this year, I hope youll consider taking some time off soon. Your session has expired. "[Time off] is the most emotional benefit we have. That said, human resources personnel should also communicate regular reminders to employees about making the most of their PTO throughout the year. When you set these types of expectations, your team plans ahead and you don't have to get in the middle and manage everyone's schedules. Use the following template to remind employees to check their PTO status before the end of the year: As we approach the end of the year, now is the time to check your PTO status to determine if you need to take any time off before your benefit resets. Consider the following scenarios HR may face during the holiday season: PTO tools with at-a-glance calendars allow for easier staffing decisions, but other employers still may want to audit and update their time off policy to save resources in the long run. To help employees feel comfortable taking time off, its important to set up an out-of-office reply that promotes relaxation. Make sure your message is clear. By taking time off regularly, you can show everyone else in the company how important it is to take time off so they dont feel guilty about doing so themselves. You don't need us to tell you that taking time off should reduce stress. Instead, you can rely on Timetastic a staff leave software that keeps you updated on who needs time off and gives your team an easy way to book their holidays. Shift your organizations expectations from what youd do on a traditional vacation or even a staycation to envision creative ways to relax using resources lying in plain sight. $(document).ready(function () { "Then you know what they have planned, and you can encourage them to follow up on it and take the time off.". For additional queries, you can reach our department of [Mention the details] at [mention phone number] or directly through an email at [mention the email address]. Others are more likely to follow when company policies express and your behaviors demonstrate what you most value. This is just a friendly reminder that, as of [DD/MM/YY], you have a remaining leave balance of [X DAYS / X HOURS]. It contributes to a great company culture. Company culture has to promote self-care and wellness for the employees. I suggested that she take a few long weekends and do local explorations. Then encourage employees to incorporate those activities into their daily routine so they dont forget about them. I will be back at work on [DATE]. Taking a break from work can be a great way to recharge and re-energize, but it can also do a lot for your mental and physical health. var temp_style = document.createElement('style'); You truly deserve this vacation; we hope you will consider our letter and will take this opportunity. You have been a hard-working and sincere employee to our team; you have worked for so long without taking any half-day or leave. Sample employee email to encourage them to get vaccinated . Encourage Employees to Take a Digital Detox, Remind Employees about the Benefits of Taking Time Off, Make it a Habit to Unplug from Work Often, Show Employees that Work-life Balance is Important, Send Monthly Vacation Balance Reminders to Employees, Have One-on-One Meetings With Employees to Encourage Them to Take Some Time Off, Provide Employees with Tools to Help them Unplug From Work, Set Up an Out-of-office Reply that Promotes Relaxation, Encourage them to Do Something Unproductive, Sample Email to Encourage Employees to Take Annual Leave, Incentives for doing so; i.e., discounts on gift cards, An official no phone zone at work that includes no cell phones or laptops allowed during certain hours of the day, A designated area in the office where people can go when they need some space away from their devices, When you work for a company, you probably know that taking time off is good for your health and well-being. Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes. Informal vacation request email Subject: Vacation request June 1-15 Hi Jean, I'd like to request vacation time from Monday, June 1st through Tuesday the 15th. If we take time away from work to recharge and reconnect with loved ones, we can return to work ready to approach our work with energy and purpose. There are many good reasons to choose to get a vaccine , but the most important one is that . Research shows the benefits of vacations to employee productivity and the economy both of which are currently under threat. "With the holidays coming up, we'll continue to remind employees that taking time to recharge benefits everyone, and it will help them be in a better mindset for what will hopefully be a much less chaotic 2021," she said. To request permission for specific items, click on the reuse permissions button on the page where you find the item. To all employees: COVID-19 is unpredictable. Help staff ease back into work after their leave. Please reach out to your direct manager to see about booking time off ASAP to take a well-deserved holiday. Some businesses may close down for a week or two at a certain time of the year, and that period is everyone's . Build a better team and achieve more of what matters. This will help ensure that your employees use their paid time off and dont miss out on valuable benefits. Unsubscribe anytime. You can also use these meetings as an opportunity to motivate your employees to take a break by explaining how important it is for their health and productivity. But do your employees? Leave request email template. Something went wrong. In this post, we gave you three sample letters you can send to your team to remind them they have annual leave left to use or letting them know that leave will be carried over. The point is, you now have the information on hand. David Zaitz/Getty Images. Unused vacations have cost U.S. businesses $224 billion a year. 5 ways to encourage staff to take annual leave. Additionally, employees will become more conscious of scheduling their breaks. [Give a reason for sending the incorrect mail according to you in your own words, this is just an example given]. Next year, youll have [CARRY OVER AMOUNT + NEW YEAR AMOUNT] in holiday leave. Wed like to avoid you losing your hard-earned time off. Studies show that almost 75% of employees do not take all of their allotted paid time off (PTO.) "Managers who meet with their staff prior to them taking PTO can brainstorm with them about who in the company is best to take over each task, project or client while they're out," Handrick said. In many companies, employees may even need to find coverage while they're out so their workload isn't interrupted. } But, according to Balsamiq founder Giacomo Guilizzoni, "It instills an opposite kind of guilt: If I don't take my 20 days I will set a bad example for my team." Make unlimited vacation time work However, while the number of hours worked is soaring, peoples capacity to focus and produce quality work is diving. That also means that they're responsible for getting that work done and coordinating with other team members to make that happen. }); if($('.container-footer').length > 1){ Be an example by taking and enjoying time off yourself. If you have any questions about your leave balance, or how to book leave, please reach out to your manager. To learn more about communicating these updates, use the template in, federal holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, human resources information system (HRIS), this collection of common PTO questions and answers. You can use our sample leave of absence forms to encourage employees to take time off work. Below is a vacation request email sample for medical reasons: Subject: Medical leave application Dear (Manager's name), I'm writing this letter to request vacation leave from Tuesday (December 15th) through Thursday (December 24th). Not to mention that according to SHRM, when employees take PTO, theyre often more productive and exhibit lower stress and better mental health. use up to four hours of administrative leave time, or your sick time. A company's leaders ultimately need to set the tone for the company's vacation policy. Sometimes we all need to take some time off and do something completely unproductive. This is an easy way to help your employees unplug, refocus, and enjoy themselves. This letter is to inform you from [mention the name of the company or the organization for which the sender is writing this letter] that I, the [mention designation of the sender] of [mention name of the department], would like to encourage you to take a vacation from your work for some days. According to global staffing firm Robert Half, 28 percent of U.S. office workers anticipated taking fewer days off in the summer months compared to last year because of concerns about COVID-19. This leave can make you more motivated and help you perform more effectively. var temp_style = document.createElement('style'); In fact, 62% of American workers say they eat lunch at their desks. This was the concern one of my clients recently. It doesn't have to be outside their home, where they can get infected, but within the boundaries of their home where they can bond with one another. By providing a modest assortment of refreshments, snack options, and kitchen appliances, you'll make sure your employees feel like a critical part of the team. Ensure there is appropriate cover. 1. Now that there is a boundary, people want to take time off, she explained. Otherwise, theyll burn out quickly (and possibly quit). Note: This is what it looks like when you book a holiday using our mobile app. In our company time off policy, it states that [X AMOUNT] of your annual leave will be carried over into the next year. Please enter the text you see in the image below: SHRM provides content as a service to its readers and members. We are keen to hear your thoughts on the best way to motivate everyone in the workplace to get involved with our drive to be more energy efficient. Model time away, standardize. Youll feel so much better when you get back than if you hadnt taken any time at all, and your coworkers will appreciate having someone healthy around them again! Vacation Request Email to Boss Sample: 4 Examples Holiday Request Letter to Manager: 4 Templates Annual Leave Letter: 4 Templates Leave Extension Letter Example: 4 Templates Holiday Request Letter example: 4 Templates Engineer Farewell Letter: 28 templates Leave of Absence Letter Template: 4 Emails Leave Application Confirmation Letter: 4 Templates Members may download one copy of our sample forms and templates for your personal use within your organization. If it has been awhile since you took a vacation, start planning your time off. I will be traveling to visit my parents/taking family vacation time. But ideally, no one will ever be on your Burnout Board. When employees know that you value their time off and take it seriously, theyll be more likely to see the importance of taking time off themselves. Sometimes, it's also about finding ways to encourage employees to take well-deserved time off. Tami Wolownik, human resources head at Siemens Mobility, North America, a transportation consulting firm in Alpharetta, Ga., suggests that managers encourage employees to take a day or two off to . If our content helps you to contend with coronavirus and other challenges, please consider, Unused vacations have cost U.S. businesses, women academics are publishing fewer papers. the leave type), provide any more details (if necessary), and then submit their request. To minimize employees' lost days, 24 percent of companies are planning to increase carryover limits. } Suddenly, a majority of people within an organization want to take time off. We strongly recommend taking vacation time during this pandemic. Part time employees accrue vacation on a pro-rated basis. The current crisis is creating more urgency and more work. (Campaign Monitor,2019) Add an eye-catching subject line and body. We think that you truly deserve this paid vacation, and we hope you will consider our effort to appreciate your loyalty to the company and will accept this vacation. How can you encourage employees to take vacation days? This isn't unusual. Some fear that taking time off may make them appear less dedicated or essential, attributes that no one wants to project amid layoffs across many industries. On his next half day off, he plans to go for a bike ride and camp on his deck with his daughters. For example, include information about the notice required in advance of a holiday and how much notice is required to refuse a holiday request. Please log in as a SHRM member. HBR Learnings online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Team Management. If you're in HR, use this email template to communicate to your staff regarding coronavirus and flu prevention. Helping Startups/ It Companies/ and Small Businesses to Enhance Their Business Through Branding and Marketing Ideas. [Include Template 4] Thanks, Your HR Team TEMPLATE 4: Managers Team Involvement (Every 6 months) Hello Team! Managers, Encourage Your Team to Take Time Off. For example, women academics are publishing fewer papers, presumably because of their disproportionate responsibility at home. With the initial adrenaline rush of the crisis passed, vast numbers of my clients are reporting that they and their teams feel flayedand exhausted to the point of being useless, work demands are on the rise, and the time saved commuting has been converted to meetings that creep earlier into the day and fill the space between dinner and (a too-late) bedtime. 3. Demonstrate care of your employees by offering flexibility, and model behaviors yourself by taking advantage of your own time off. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concernsI look forward to hearing from you soon!. Practice what you preach. [company] is committed to ensuring that employees make the most of their allotted PTO, so please coordinate with your manager or supervisor to utilize this policy. "People seem to say, 'I don't want to go to work today,' " she said, adding that the summer weather has also pushed people to use their PTO. Others may channel their anxiety about the world into their work so they are reluctant to take time off. If you miss the odd day, the world won't implode, but if people don't know you're away for a few weeks and they don't know exactly when you'll be back, or who they can contact in your place, you're going to have some unhappy clients or customers. To make sure that you use your annual leave before the end of the year, were writing to inform you that you will be on mandatory leave from [START DATE] to [END DATE]. Sample email. PTO will be available to exempt and non-exempt employees. We help you make things easy for everyone by giving you two things in this article: Lets be honest: You shouldnt really need letter templates. Why it's in your interest for staff to take leave. "It's important for employers to say [to employees], 'We care about you,' " said Jackie Reinberg, North America consulting leader, absence, disability management and life, at London-based Willis Towers Watson. " Encouraging employees getting fresh air and exercise during work hours through outdoor breaks or fitness classes held onsite (many companies offer these types of perks). Suggest shorter breaks more often, rather than weeklong vacations. Download Employee Mandatory Vaccination Policy Letter Template. We really want our employees to take their leave its yours to take and we hope you enjoy it. Gain the intel you need now to successfully anticipate and navigate employment laws, stay compliant and mitigate legal risks. Vacations are necessary to help you re-charge and be your best in the office. If you have any queries, you can reach our department of [Mention the details] at [mention phone number] or send your questions through an email at [mention the email address]. Build specialized knowledge and expand your influence by earning a SHRM Specialty Credential. You can do this by offering the following: When you work for a company, you probably know that taking time off is good for your health and well-being. You might need to provide extra flexibility. "In the middle of a global pandemic? A substantial number of companies (42 percent) have made or are planning changes to PTO, vacation and sick-day programs, according to Willis Towers Watson. Have a Clear Employee Vacation Policy First, make sure your employee vacation policy is clearly outlined. Subject: Request for one week vacation leave. 3 templates for reminding your employees to take annual leave Template #1: Reminding your employee that the end of the year's approaching and their holiday time doesn't carry over Template #2: Informing your employee that they missed the cut-off for taking their leave (and explaining how your carry-over policy works) Dear [RECIPIENT'S NAME], Thats why we have an annual leave policyto help you take care of yourself so that youre ready to go when it comes time to come back! Of this total, $210B was used and $155B was unused. To solve this problem, you can use Timetastic as your staff leave app. (See the bottom section for more information about this process.). Though annual leave is part of the compulsory benefits of a regular employee, it is always a good gesture when you planned it ahead of time and inform you immediate superior about it.These are the things that you need to consider before writing the letter: 1. Here are 12 ways you can proactively encourage employees to take time off work: Encourage employees to take a digital detox. Dear [Name of Manager], I would like to request for one week of leave from [DATE] to [DATE]. Limit vacation day rollovers. 10 Types of Leaves to Include in Your Leave Policy, How to Manage Remote Employees over Microsoft Teams. Need help with a specific HR issue like coronavirus or FLSA? Teams are feeling . Many HR professionals across the country are struggling with how to convince employees to take vacation. Encouraging to take time off is one of the most important things that you can do for your employees. It does not offer legal advice, and cannot guarantee the accuracy or suitability of its content for a particular purpose. Itll be a great way to recharge their batteries without sacrificing any work hours. 1. What Is the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). Policy brief & purpose. Im writing to remind you that we have an annual leave policy. Managers are also encouraged to be vocal about taking shorter amounts of time off. This policy is based on mutual trust . else if(currentUrl.indexOf("/about-shrm/pages/shrm-mena.aspx") > -1) { And finally, activate your team by creating a plan where work is still accomplished, even as people are offline. You can show them that work-life balance is important by: Employees are busy, and it can be easy to forget about the vacation days theyve accrued over the past year. 2. $(document).ready(function () { Please log in as a SHRM member. Subject Line: Please join us as we re-open our doors on June 05, 2020. HR circular format for employees are very helpful in this situation. This can help managers optimize workload delegation. If workers take 29% less vacation for the entire year, this translates into about $60B in additional accrued PTO liability. You should send employees monthly reminders about how much time off they have available for use in the following year.