If PTO is a benefit available to you, keep these tips in mind.
- Make certain you have enough time in your "time bank" to cover the amount of days off you are requesting. Many companies add a certain number of hours or days to employee time banks each month rather than giving them the full amount at one time. By the end of March, for example, you may have earned only 25% of your yearly vacation time. It's important to understand how your days off are accrued.
- Review your employer's time off policy, and carefully follow any required procedures, such as submitting a paper or online form.
- Think about the highs and lows of your workload, and how hectic your entire department is at different times of the week, month, and year. If you have flexibility in scheduling your time off, try to avoid busy periods.
- If needed, arrange coverage even before approaching your supervisor with the request.
- Give your supervisor as much advance notice as possible.
Out of courtesy to your co-workers who will help with your job duties during your absence, prepare your work as well as you possibly can before you leave. Then, immediately upon your return, thank the people who stepped in, and bounce right back into your work.
If you're using the time off for travel or local recreation, keep the vacation talk to a minimum both before and after your time away. Your co-workers may become jealous, resentful, or simply annoyed hearing too much about your good time. Remember, while you were having fun away from work, they were doing their own work and possibly some of YOURS as well!
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