Do you take time off when you've been with a company for less than 6 months?

Anonymous

January 29,2023 at 6:16PM UTC

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Do you take time off when you've been with a company for less than 6 months?

I have been with my company for a little over 5 months. The official policy is to take time whenever you need to. I would like to plan a couple of 3 day weekends in the next two months, but I feel like I shouldn't do it. The job is stressful and I need the break to clear my head, but there is so much to get done, I worry that it will look bad. My boss seems good with my work. Thoughts?

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Melody WilliamsJanuary 29,2023 at 6:33PM UTC
I would recommend you push through your current feeling of needing a break. If your gut tells you not to, then you shouldn't. Promise yourself to take the break 5 months from now. It will be here before you know it and no matter if they say it or not; your boss or bosses will ne happy to have your help.
The part you miss during your "mini-break" could be the one piece of work experience you are missing. The tool in your tool-box to greater growth and improving leadership skills.
Best wishes for your future.
Cyndi RosenblattJanuary 29,2023 at 7:09PM UTC
While I think it might be a little early to take a two-week vacation, taking a couple of 3-day weekends would certainly be a non-issue in most offices. It's not going to help anything if you are burned out in less than a year.
Rebecca AliJanuary 29,2023 at 7:18PM UTC
If you're concerned that you haven't "earned it" or your boss might frown upon it, why not have a conversation with your manager before you talk yourself out of something you say you need? You can approach it very authentically and say "I'm feeling a little awkward bringing this up, but I would like to schedule some 3 day weekends coming up. While I don't want to leave anyone in a tough spot, I feel I would be more productive in the long run if I can take some time to recharge and refresh." The fastest way to burnout is - not practicing self-care preemptively, not feeling comfortable asking supervisors for what you need to be successful, and feeling like you have to be working all the time or thinking about work (even when you're not at work).
AnonymousJanuary 29,2023 at 11:56PM UTC
I work for a company that has allowed a new hire to take over 2 weeks off for 3 trips without a blink of an eye. She's been with the company for under 4 months
HaleyJanuary 30,2023 at 1:10AM UTC
If you're allowed to take the time, just go ahead. It sounds like it's like 2-3 days total, which is not at all excessive.
Megan LeasherJanuary 30,2023 at 12:41PM UTC
Take the time. It's what it's there for and it sounds like your boss is on board.
AnonymousJanuary 30,2023 at 2:46PM UTC
I start new jobs with pre-determined days off. I tell them I need certain dates off right from the start so that I make sure I take breaks for my mental health and they already agree to it from the beginning.
if there is an unlimited amount of time off then definitely book your time off as you want it and take long weekends. Maybe do a Friday and a Monday or something. If the job is stressful then it’s important that you do this often.
at my last company we expected our employees to take a long weekend each month and around a week each quarter.
AnonymousJanuary 30,2023 at 4:56PM UTC
Your days off are a part of your total compensation package. You take your paycheck with no guilt, don’t you? Find out who should be your OOO contact and take your days without guilt.
Betty StridenJanuary 30,2023 at 8:56PM UTC
Take the time off! You've earned it. As long as you secure a backup for emergencies and don't leave a lot of escalated/high priority tasks undone, I don't see why you shouldn't.
Maegan, Nike Sales Rep & Career CoachJanuary 31,2023 at 10:27PM UTC
Yes! If you already have the PTO built up, this is a benefit to you for being an employee of this company. Take the time. You'll show up better for your work if you do.
Joycelyn M. SiameFebruary 1,2023 at 1:20PM UTC
Absolutely! Everyone needs time off. Make sure you have your work covered when you go, as per usual.
AnonymousFebruary 1,2023 at 1:22PM UTC
OH honey, I am 60 years old and have been working since about 14. NO one but you can take care of you. Use your time off that has been earned. I understand you want to make a good impression and be seen as a great employee. But if you are not whole you can't give it your all.
Plan your time off, if there is a deadline during that - communicate that to your boss and work out how it will get done.
But when it is the days off that you have Scheduled - TAKE THEM - LEAVE THE WORK AT WORK - DON'T CHECK EMAILS - ETC. You can never get back time and the moments that you miss with your family and friends.
Sarah BordersFebruary 1,2023 at 1:25PM UTC
Short answer: You earned that time, so take it. Ultimately, this could depend on the culture of your workplace and how PTO works. Is it standard not to take time off within the first six months? That seems kind of old school. Does your PTO build and roll over year to year, do you have to “use it or lose it”? If it’s the latter, especially, I wouldn’t wait until you hit the six-month mark. Definitely talk to your boss about it, but I’m sure they’ll agree that you’ve earned a wee break here and there.
Anna C AdamsFebruary 1,2023 at 1:31PM UTC
Take the time.
AnonymousFebruary 1,2023 at 1:39PM UTC
You should be able to take the time off with no problems, especially because you're only doing tandem weekends versus taking off two full weeks. I have worked places before where people started work one week and literally went on maternity and paternity leave for a few months immediately after their first week of work. Self-care is just as important as anything else. They said, it may make you feel better to speak with some of your colleagues to find out about the norms because they do differ from industry and workplaces.
Mhairi DunnFebruary 1,2023 at 1:45PM UTC
I know this is a worldwide site and some countries have different cultures on PTO but I’m UK - and wow I would never expect an employee to work 6 months without a break!! Take some holiday!!!
AnonymousFebruary 1,2023 at 2:20PM UTC
The times have changed, and I encourage you to use your PTO! Especially since it seems like you're only trying to plan 3 day weekends, which is essentially only 1 day off each time. And yes - do not bring work with you on your time off (no PHONES, no LAPTOP, NO CONTACT)!
CosmosMomFebruary 1,2023 at 2:53PM UTC
i sure do. As long as I’m out of ky probationary period and have days accrued I use them. It had never been a problem.
AnonymousFebruary 1,2023 at 3:07PM UTC
I just quit a job because I wasn’t able to or didn’t feel comfortable taking a day off for a year and a half. It was miserable, I was always on edge, and I’m now recovering from burnout. I’m sure my former employer would have preferred I take time off vs quit! I hope to never live that way again.
Gabriela BerinsteinFebruary 1,2023 at 3:15PM UTC
Another way for you to look at it is that they control how much work there is for you. If you don't take time off they will establish this as the baseline when they could just cut back on the number of clients or goals they set (theoretically).
AnonymousFebruary 1,2023 at 7:00PM UTC
ABSOLUTELY!!!!! 100%
Daniel GreeneFebruary 1,2023 at 3:54PM UTC
In my previous job I didn't take time off until 10 months. Newer people too off time including to go back his home country. I felt I hadn't earned it yet, time off was "unlimited" which didn't give me a sense of earned time off. A policy of minimum time off expectation came out too late to help. I burned out and ended up losing my job. Not taking time off is the same as mismanaging your job and life. Neither you or your coworkers will respect that. I agree with what Gabriela said on baseline goals being raised.
Jennie MoreheadFebruary 1,2023 at 6:59PM UTC
Your job is a means to an end. The end is supporting yourself and your family's needs monetarily. Do not neglect yourself. Work hard and give an honest days work for an honest days wage. Taking time for yourself is not a luxury, it is a necessity - for a better you which in turn makes you better for your company.
JulieFebruary 2,2023 at 11:36PM UTC
Yes, 1000x YES. Do not hoard vacation days--use them! That's what they are there for. Unless there's something in your contract/employee policy that you can't take any for a certain length of time when you first start, you should not feel any guilt for asking to use your *earned* PTO. Enjoy your vacation(s)!
Annetta MosesFebruary 6,2023 at 5:38AM UTC
If the company indicates you are eligible for time off, then take time off. Consider in a one-on-one meeting with your manager and ask if it is okay to take time off and give her specific dates.
You want to give your manager advance notice. You also don't want to take time right before project deadlines. Consider taking time off after a busy period or when a project is completed. For example, I often have projects due at the end of the quarter. I usually take time off the second week of the new quarter.