Encouraging employees to take a well-earned break in order to recharge their batteries can improve the overall atmosphere of a workplace. However, many find it difficult to switch off, but spending time away from your place of work isn’t something to feel guilty about, says Hays CEO, Alistair Cox, in his latest
LinkedIn Influencer blog.
“Having a proper break, one in which you can really switch off, will not only make for a happier, healthier workforce, but impact the bottom line too. And there is no exception to the rule, however senior you are” says Alistair.
The advancement of mobile technology in the past decade means the office is never too far away, leaving many to feel as though they should always be available. “Employees often feel that they must be perceived as being ‘always on’ to show they are dedicated and working hard. This is nonsense, and in fact reduces development and productivity” says Alistair.
Employees must be actively encouraged to take time off and it is up to businesses to create a holiday friendly environment, allowing people to relax and enjoy their time off. There are a number of ways this can be achieved.
- Create a guilt-free zone: eliminating that cloud of guilt that some can feel about taking holidays is essential. There may never feel like a ‘good time’ to take a holiday but it’s crucial to an employee’s well-being.
- Prescribe a digital detox: although it can be difficult to resist checking emails while away from the business, employees should be encouraged not to do so. If it is necessary a process should be put in place where they are contactable should something urgent come up.
- Take an interest: taking a genuine interest in what a colleague has done on holiday can improve morale and create closer ties with that person.
- Lead by example: if employees see the CEO or management taking time off to relax, it sets the right impression to the rest of their business.
Ensuring employees don’t suffer from fatigue is obviously beneficial to a business. “Not only does investing in employee well-being have a positive impact on boosting productivity in your teams, it is also increasingly important in attracting and retaining the best talent” says Alistair. “So, go on, take a well-earned break this summer, and encourage your teams to do the same. It’s more important than you might think.”
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About Hays
Hays plc (the "Group") is a leading global professional recruiting group. The Group is the expert at recruiting qualified, professional and skilled people worldwide, being the market leader in the UK and Asia Pacific and one of the market leaders in Continental Europe and Latin America. The Group operates across the private and public sectors, dealing in permanent positions, contract roles and temporary assignments. As at 31 December 2014 the Group employed 8,748 staff operating from 244 offices in 33 countries across 20 specialisms. For the year ended 30 June 2014:
– the Group reported net fees of £724.9 million and operating profit (pre-exceptional items) of £140.3 million;
– the Group placed around 57,000 candidates into permanent jobs and around 212,000 people into temporary assignments;
– 24% of Group net fees were generated in Asia Pacific, 42% in Continental Europe & RoW (CERoW) and 34% in the United Kingdom & Ireland;
– the temporary placement business represented 59% of net fees and the permanent placement business represented 41% of net fees;
– Hays operates in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Chile, China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE, the UK and the USA