Leaveism is a term first coined in 2013 to describe the phenomena of employees using flexitime, annual leave, and rest days to have time off when they are in fact too unwell to go to work.
It also refers to using leave to catch up on the backlog of work.
Another growing concern (which I have been guilty of myself) is not taking time off unless there is a ‘reason’ such as a holiday to go on. In the last 2 years have you thought, “what’s the point in taking time off when I can’t go anywhere?”
It is unsurprising that the increase in home working and lockdowns has led to an increase in these unhealthy habits. Not getting the rest we need to effectively recharge, feel fulfilled and happy in our work and home lives, and be as productive as we can be can lead us down the path to burnout. Are we there already?
Here’s a few tips for preventing leaveism
✅ Speak with your teams regularly on a 1:1 basis to encourage time off, understand their circumstances and be better able to identify early warning signs
✅ Be aware of staff who are working while absent / on leave & discuss this with them
✅ Encourage your teams to book time off regularly, even if a half day or day off in the week and book in time for self-care. Lead by example by doing this yourself and sharing it’s benefits with them
✅ Review your policy on working hours / overtime, communicate expectations (and what is not expected) and the dangers to wellbeing of working when on leave
✅ Ensure there is annual leave cover in place where other colleagues can be upskilled and support to reduce the high workload when an employee returns
✅ Review staff levels and workloads – are they realistic?
We don’t technically need a reason to take leave, but if that is what we need to give ourselves the permission to take time off then get something booked in! It could be going for a long walk, binge watching a series, a fun day out somewhere new, seeing a friend, or spending quality time with family.
I caught myself saying I couldn’t pick up my nephew from school the other day because of how busy I was at work. I am pleased to say I changed my mind and am viewing it as a very worthy reason for a half day and time to switch off doing something fun with him 😊
Just a few hours can help us recharge. What time can you take in January for yourself?