This informal CPD article, ‘The importance of taking annual leave’, was provided by BulliesOut, one of the UK’s most dedicated and ambitious anti-bullying charities.
With workloads becoming increasingly demanding, it is more important now than ever to ensure that we can recognise when annual leave is needed. Overworking ourselves and not taking our annual leave can increases our stress levels, negatively affect our productivity at work, risk of burnout, and have a profound effect on our work-life balance.
Disconnecting yourself from meetings, deadlines, and other stressful situations can rejuvenate your mind, meaning you are in a healthier state when you return to work.
Stress
We all experience stress, but when stress becomes unmanageable, this can cause us real problems. The results of the Mental Health Foundation’s Stress Statistics survey showed that 51% of adults who felt stressed reported feeling depressed, and 61% reported feeling anxious. Taking a step back and having a break from our work can help us reset, control, and better manage our stress levels.
Productivity at Work and risk of Burnout
Using your annual leave can make you more productive when you return to work. Sometimes, taking a step away allows you to gain a fresh perspective, and equips you with new and creative solutions. It will also minimise your chances of developing burnout.
Research from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans suggests that using annual leave improves employee productivity by up to 40% and reduces the risk of sick leave by 28%. So, not only is using your annual leave beneficial for you, but it is also beneficial for your employer, as it ensures they get the best, most productive version of yourself.
Without a break, we can run the risk of becoming burnt out at work. 88% of UK employees have experienced at least some level of burnout over the last two years, with one-third claiming to suffer from physical and mental exhaustion frequently due to pressures within the workplace. This is according to new research commissioned by LumApps, a leading Employee Experience Platform.