Unplugging to Recharge: The Critical Need for Taking PTO Seriously
By Kraig Kleeman
“We talk about work-life balance like it’s a mythical creature we’re all chasing—yet when it comes to taking actual time off, it appears we’d rather hunt unicorns. Let’s put down the lassos and pick up the beach towels instead.” — Kraig Kleeman, Founder and CEO
Introduction
I’ve noticed something a bit alarming lately: when people talk about getting time off for a good balance of work and life, fewer and fewer people are actually taking it. Yep, that’s true—people are not taking their paid time off (PTO), and it is a problem.
What is Happening?
So just why are fewer and fewer of us taking those well-deserved breaks? Well, it turns out, there’s a whole mix of reasons. Some of my colleagues confess they’re worried about job security. Others feel buried under so much work that a vacation seems like a fantasy. And then there’s the unspoken rule in many offices that taking time off might make you seem less dedicated than your cubicle mate who seemingly never leaves.
I spoke to an HR expert the other day who’s been in the business for decades, and his response was, “It’s so ironical: supposed to be the ‘do what makes you happy era’, yet here we are, glued to our desks, terrified of taking a break.”
Why Skipping Holidays Hurts Everyone
Skipping vacation not only robs us of much-needed relaxation, but it also zaps our zest for work. Not taking time to recharge increases the turns at which a worker will burn out. And burnt-out employees are not the best examples of productivity. Plus, let’s face it, the health toll it takes to be “always on” is bad for business.
Time to Make a Difference
We need to shake things up and reinvent the workplaces where taking time off is as natural as logging on in the morning. Here are a few ways we can start:
- Just Talk About It: We really need to get real about recharging. I try to lead by example, plan my vacations out loud in front of others, and really encourage my team to do the same.
- Check the Workload: We have to ensure that our workloads are fair; otherwise, a week off might turn into returning to the office and finding a mountain of backlogs. Sweeten the Deal: How about some employers offering a bit more—like a bonus—for those who use all of their vacation days? Might be worth a try!
Wrapping Up
I have learned the hard way that all work and no play is not only a bad idea but also a health hazard. We need to really stop wearing our non-stop schedules as some kind of achievement. We need to look away for a moment to reclaim our rights to relaxation, but not only for ourselves—to actually save the workplace from collapsing. Alright—so what do you say? Should we finally start taking our well-earned breaks seriously? I’m in if you are. Let’s get vacations back to the top of the list and balance out the rest of our lives. Here’s to being as passionate about our downtime as we are about our careers!
About Kraig Kleeman
Kraig Kleeman is a highly successful entrepreneur, author, and showrunner. If his accomplishments and aspirations were to draw inspiration from natural icons, he could be described as a fusion of Elon Musk’s visionary approach to business and Mick Jagger’s electrifying stage presence. He possesses keen business acumen and a flair for captivating performances that awe audiences.
Kraig’s entrepreneurial spirit is boundless, as evidenced by his track record of founding a tech company and taking it from nothing to $30 million in sales, in less than four years. His newest venture, CEO Branding Worldwide, is growing by triple digits, quarter over quarter. While some may liken his abilities to a Midas touch, others prefer to think of it as transforming companies into profitable ventures instead of turning things into gold!
