No matter how we may define it, life and work balance is equally important to us all. Family caregiving poses significant challenges, usually leading to a delicate balancing act between work and personal responsibilities. Effective time management becomes critical as caregivers juggle appointments, daily care tasks, and work commitments. While American workers state that paid time off is critical, only 48% of US workers use all their vacation days.
It's essential to acknowledge that some of us may not be taking the time off we're entitled to or deserve.
73% of employees are responsible for some form of caregiving. 67% of family caregivers (caring for older adults, children, community families, siblings, and spouses/ partners) have difficulty balancing their jobs with caregiving duties.
According to the Pew Research Center, 46% of US workers eligible to receive time off take less time than offered. About half of employees with a bachelor's degree or more say they take less time than is provided. Those not taking time off include salaried workers, managers, and those working in education, government, public administration, and the military. (Pew Research Center)
Time Off: What’s Going On??
Time away from work allows us to address or reduce our stress, but anxiety, fear, or guilt may delay or prevent the breaks we need. Some workers feel that by taking time off, they may be neglecting their work responsibilities. Others feel that they do not need to take time off, worry about falling behind, or have concerns about the impact time away has on coworkers.
- Women (especially those between 18 and 49) may feel concerned about coworkers having to pick up their slack.
- Black workers, along with newly employed workers, may cite fear of job loss.
50% of new fathers spent fewer days away from the workplace in fear of perceived stigma for taking time off. Even more, they worry about being stigmatized and subject to their supervisors' or colleagues' hostile attitudes, prejudice, or false beliefs.
- In a One Poll study, 62% of employees are worried that their bosses would judge them and think they were unable to perform their job for taking mental health days.
- Employees are twice as likely to take time off for a physical issue than a mental health problem. An Aetna study stated that 50% of employees who need time off for mental health lie about the reason for their request for time off.
- Requesting PTO for medical appointments or taking time for mental health may raise the fear of being perceived as a “slacker” or being passed over for a job promotion.
Time Off: Why Do We Need it?
As with the diversity of our community, so are the reasons why we need to take time off. Time off can be utilized for our own self-care or significant life events. Others may need to address mental health or caregiving, illness (ourselves or others), emergencies, and other unexpected turns in life. Essential time off may include focusing on long-term care, caregiving, emergencies, or backup plans. Life happens, and we use this time to address these planned or unexpected turns in life. If we have the time, we may need to flex our time more nontraditionally. For example, if time off is for the care of others, taking additional time for yourself (even if for a few hours, days, or more) may be critical to your self-care.
Time off can take on different forms. Time off for some of us may be immediate, a few hours, a day, or several days. Others may need a longer period, like a vacation/staycation or a leave of absence, which may require some time in the not-too-distant future. Plans can range from enjoying life and doing what we want to work with chronic illness or mental health. You should base your time away on what is happening in your personal and professional life now or what may realistically happen in the future.
The need for time off can be evident to some but not to others. Signals of the need to take time off are your stress levels, burnout, or compassion fatigue. We often see these references with caregiving, but burnout in the workplace is very real. Be aware of changes or issues with mental or physical health, mood, energy levels, concentration, work performance, or sleep. Take the time you need if your caregiving situation has heightened or changed or if you need to create a “big picture” care plan. As mentioned, there are reasons why we are not taking time off. However, if you feel that taking a break requires too much preparation or creates anxiety, it is probably time to plan for time off. The value of taking time off is well worth the cost of well-being.
The Real Benefits of Taking Time Off
Time off benefits the employee and the workplace. Stress at work can affect our concentration and impair our problem-solving abilities. Short—or long-term breaks from work are vital to long-term health and well-being, enabling employees to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, improve productivity, and increase life satisfaction.
Time off can:
- boost productivity and work performance;
- help employees feel more productive, creative, and relaxed;
- reduce burnout and improve mood;
- improve mental health.
Time away allows time for rest and better cognitive space. When we can take time for ourselves, we can eliminate “external noise” and focus on what is essential to our well-being.
Get Going!
Have conversations with your family, friends, and yourself about work, life, and well-being. When we have conversations in the workplace about stigma, perception, job performance, and the contributions we make, we release fear of the unknown and gain clarity and understanding.
Stand by the value of your work and life, evaluate your stress level, and address it accordingly. Honor yourself by respecting the need for time away from the job to decompress and de-stress. If this doesn’t feel natural to you, it may be time to talk with family, a support group, or therapy and figure out steps to take time away from the job. Taking time to evaluate what is happening and figuring out steps to self-care may be the key to a better sense of well-being. Taking time off is a valuable part of this equation.
No matter what’s happening in our lives, we need to see the value of time off –for self-care and life and work balance. The essential component is taking and (not accruing) time off. Use your time to make the most of your self-care so that you can live your life.
References, extra information
Dinesh, S. & Parker, K. (2023, 10, Aug.) More than 2 in 10 workers don’t take their paid time off. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/08/10/more-than-4-in-10-u-s-workers-dont-take-all-their-paid-time-off/.
Scott, E. (2023, 8, Nov.). How to Take a Break from Work (and Why You Need To). Verywellmind. verywellmind.com/why-you-should-take-a-break-3144576.