Written By: Trevor Hart
A 2019 study by the U.S. Travel Association revealed that 768 million U.S. vacation days went unused in the year 2018. Time-off may seem like a luxury to some employees, but there’s more to a vacation than just the travel destination. Companies implementing healthy time-off policies and employees taking advantage of these has proven beneficial for employers and employees alike. Especially as COVID-19 has changed the employment landscape, many employers are beginning to see the benefits of adopting policies designed to alleviate work-related stress and burnout. This is a key element of a company’s employment branding strategy.
Employment branding refers to the qualities, practices, and culture that promote your company as a good place to work. Strong employment branding fosters a positive relationship between your company and its employees, potential hires, and the surrounding community. When it comes to attracting new hires, your company’s public image is critical. Employment branding factors such as benefits, time-off packages, and workplace culture contribute to a company’s employee retention and loyalty.
The fall season means summer is winding down, companies are getting caught up, and it can be a busy time. It may seem difficult to use the season to get away, but taking measures to reduce burnout is important! Research shows that taking vacations or extended time-off from work boosts productivity and job satisfaction. Even a vacation of 4-5 days gives you the chance to detach from work, recharge your energy, and return to work refreshed. If you’re looking to take advantage of some unused vacation days, and you don’t know where to go, here are our fall travel recommendations for relaxing and recharging away from work:
The correlation between job satisfaction and adequate time off is so evident, it may seem like a no-brainer. In fact, 70% of employees report higher job satisfaction when they take regular vacations. Well-rested and energized employees are more productive, creative, and eager to work than those experiencing high levels of stress or burnout. The key to reducing burnout isn’t just vacations, though.
Staring at a computer for forty hours of work will have adverse effects when it comes to employee productivity and happiness. Small breaks throughout the day reduce the monotony of staring at a screen all day. Likewise, leaving work at work when you’re done for the day can help reduce stress. Try adding an away message to your email so you are not bogged down with messages outside of business hours.
Individual employees with high levels of creativity and productivity contribute to the overall energy of the workplace. Cultivating a pleasant work environment is a key element of employment branding. Likewise, an office or workplace culture that encourages community, open communication, and mindful policies will make every employee feel like a valued member of the team.
As an employer, it is important to set clear internal communication policies and guidelines for topics including time-off. Employees should feel confident that goals will still be accomplished and deadlines will still be met in their absence. Likewise, employees should know what is expected of them before leaving, especially for an extended period of time.
Employee benefits include:
Employer benefits include:
As a full-service branding agency, 88 West knows how to build a thriving employer brand. We can boost your company’s morale and help you attract quality candidates by consolidating your internal communications strategy and setting the tone for your company’s workplace culture. Contact us today at hello@88westagency.com or (662) 322-8921 to find out how we can help you today!