How to Take a Vacation and Keep Your Job

Reader Comments
Back to blog

1. When you return bring a gift for your boss.
2. Bring some goodies (sweets etc.) for your co-workers.
3. Do not complain about 1500 emails in your inbox - either you read them ahead of time, or secretly catch up on them. If there are follow-up emails, follow up on the day you return.
4. Say how great it is to be back at work.

Sam Smith of CA 12:12PM July 08, 2010

Great suggestions! Vacation time is a perk, a benefit. Not everyone earns vacation time at the same rate. Unfortunately, many workers are beginning to act like vacation time is a right too. There was a day when we didn't automatically earn that paid time off. I think that a thank-you note is a nice touch. As the economy shrinks, and unemployment and inflation rise, those perks like liberal policies for earning paid time off could be one of the benefits on the chopping block to help keep companies alive. I think a little gratitude will go a long way.
Hey - CYMR0 of XX --- You write, "When I come back from vacation I make sure I'm in the office a few hours early - way before the boss gets in..." Isn't that doing something similar to the advice in this article? You are doing that little bit extra that the article suggests we do. I don't understand your venomous tone. You sound miserable and vindictive. Maybe you need a vacation?

Thankful in Florida of FL 5:29PM August 24, 2009

From my experience as a manager, I can say that if someone on my team followed your advice, they would stand out from the crowd in a great way. It can be challenging for everyone who remains when a team member is out of the work flow for a vacation. Your advice would help them to lessen the impact of their absence. Thanks for pointing it out so clearly.

Team Manager of AZ 5:05AM August 21, 2009

Get a job as a cruise ship crew member.

HillbillyBill of TN 8:15AM August 20, 2009

I'm sorry, but if taking a vacation is this hard, there's something wrong somewhere. If you do a good enough job, you needn't worry - your absence, and return will show. If your employer is that petty that they hold a vacation against you - you should evaluate whether you want to work there at all.
And sending a thank you card? Really!? What happens if there's a family emergency, a death in the family or you're ill and you need to take time off - should you send thank you cards then too?
When I come back from vacation I make sure I'm in the office a few hours early - way before the boss gets in, I catch up with my emails. I make sure I have a report or response to queries from the boss ready on her desk before she gets in.

CYMR0 5:06PM August 19, 2009

with vacations for anyone juggling multiple responsibilities at work is that you can bury yourself (upon return) with things standing still for multiple weeks, or you can find that your "place" in the order of things was undermined or usurped by the boss or subs while you were gone.
It's true that everyone needs a vacation.
It's not true that everyone can successfully take one---even if the employee handbook says you're supposed to get the weeks.

Muser of NM 10:41AM August 19, 2009