TrainingZone.co.uk is supporting the CMI's Out of Office campaign to equip managers so they can take a break from the pressures of work, and return refreshed.
Despite being half way through the year, research published by the Chartered Management Institute shows that four out of ten British managers have not yet booked any summer holiday. Of the most popular reasons given for staying in the office all summer, 20% said that an excessive workload is to blame. Against a backdrop of financial uncertainty and job insecurity, 33% also said they would rather exchange their holiday entitlement for cash.
For those who do escape, being out of the office doesn’t necessarily mean leaving work behind. 20% admitted to finding it hard to ‘let go’ and 72% worried about work, clients or deadlines while away. Worry may also account for the fact that 51% continue to check work emails and 44% access their voicemails, while on leave.
Take a break
To encourage managers to recognise the importance of taking a break, the CMI has launchied an Out of office campaign and declaring an amnesty until 15 July, during which British managers are being urged to book some well deserved time off.
CMI’s chief executive Ruth Spellman explains: “It is understandable that a heavy workload and the prospect of returning to a large amount of emails and outstanding tasks can deter people from taking time off, but holiday has a positive impact on staff well-being and boosts productivity.
“Encouragingly, 89% of those managers we surveyed say they do encourage their team members to take their full holiday entitlement so there should be no excuse not to get away this summer, even for just a few days. We hope that our Out of office campaign, combined with an amnesty and July 15 deadline to book some leave, will help managers turn their attention to planning a break. The well-being and resilience of our managers will be very important to ensure we are best placed to take full advantage of the economic up-turn when it comes.”
Are holidays bottom of your agenda?
The CMI’s summer survey quizzed more than 1,100 managers from across the UK about their holiday habits. The results show that despite it being widely accepted that time away from the office is the best way to recharge the batteries, many have put holiday plans for 2009 at the bottom of the agenda.
As well as encouraging people to consider the benefits of a well-earned break, the CMI has developed a holiday toolkit and top tips to help managers be ‘work-prepared’, enabling them to enjoy their holiday and helping to alleviate the pressure when they return.
Spellman adds: “It is so important that everyone takes the opportunity to get away from work for a short period of time each year. Just a few days rest can dramatically enhance a feeling of emotional and physical well-being, the ability to cope with pressure and boost productivity at work as a result. “Getting away from it all is good for you but employees need to realise that to get the true benefits, they need to switch off completely if possible. Being well prepared and ensuring that you use all available resources to help things run smoothly in your absence will help you to make the most of your break.”
The CMI’s holiday toolkit, which includes resources to help individuals prepare for their time away, is available at www.managers.org.uk/outofoffice
We've got their delegation checklist on site here
