Dreaming of sun-drenched beaches or epic adventures? Here’s your ultimate guide to mastering your time off and maximising your precious holiday time, whether you’re a seasoned traveller or just planning your first escape. 

Know Your Rights (and Perks!) 

• Entitlement Check: First things first, understand your minimum holiday allowance mandated by law. But don’t stop there! Many companies offer additional paid leave. Check your employee handbook or ask HR to confirm your specific entitlement. 

Planning Is The Key

• Plan Ahead, Communicate Openly: Don’t wait until the last minute! Submit leave requests well in advance as per your company policy. Clear communication with colleagues about your plans is key to ensuring a smooth handover and avoiding last-minute scrambles. 

• Respect Your Teammates: Be mindful of busy periods in the business and consider collaborating with colleagues to ensure smooth coverage during your absence. Be aware of other team members plans too, especially around school holidays. Remember, a happy team is a productive team! 

Tech & Transparency: Setting Up for Success 

• Out-of-Office: Before jetting off, set an informative out-of-office message. Let colleagues and clients know you’ll be unavailable, who to contact for urgent matters, and your expected return date. Adding a phone number and email address is also a good idea.
  

Returning Refreshed (and Ready to Share!) 

• Catch Up & Communicate: Don’t come back to a mountain of work. With good planning, you can set yourself up for a smooth return that allows you to hit the ground running. Upon your return, prioritise catching up on missed tasks efficiently. Communicate any outstanding projects or urgent issues that require attention and ask for help if you need it.
  

Bonus Tips for Extended Holidays 

• Workload Management Wizard: Ensure a seamless transition by organising your workload before leaving. Brief colleagues on ongoing projects requiring attention in your absence. This minimises roadblocks and keeps things moving smoothly. Don’t forget relevant login and contact details where relevant.
  

• Staying Connected (Optional): For critical projects, you may choose to check emails periodically. However, prioritise your well-being! Avoid feeling obligated to be constantly available. If do need to check your emails, limit the time to once or maximum twice per day. The point is to truly disconnect and recharge. 
• Sharing is Caring: Upon returning, share any interesting experiences, knowledge, or skills gained during your holiday that could benefit the team. This fosters a culture of learning and growth within your company.