What's the point of having a "dream" job if it takes you away from one of your fundamental rights that to take time off? The damage of working non-stop can be irrevocable. You can become a compulsive workaholic who feels compelled to work, despite not liking your job.
Your work-life balance will tip, and your work will lack spunk, energy and enthusiasm. A holiday can in fact, expose you to things that sitting at your desk will never allow, and give your personality an edge over others. Experts recommend a 20-day annual break. We tell you why you should adhere to this norm.
(With inputs from Soma Das)
Month-long break is a must: HRD
Anita Shantaram, Director, Dr PH Singh Centre for HRD
I am in favour of long breaks, though I find most professionals opting for shorter ones. At the start of your career, you can do without breaks since work is top priority. But at a later stage, you must start demanding long breaks, especially if you have children. At least once a year, professionals should take a month-long vacation. A twelve-day-long break interspersed with 4 short breaks can also do the trick.
Long Vacation? woh kya hota hai?
Bharti Athray, Owner of an ad agency
Took a break after: One year
Duration of the break: One week
One year ago I went for a week-long reiki seminar to Goal; that's the furthest I have come to taking a break from work. I know that once I stop, go on a holiday, I will need at least a week to settle back in once I return. So, I prefer to procrastinate during the break.
Amit Jambotkar, Area manager-operations at an entertainment company
Took a break after: One year
Duration of the break: Three days
I am afraid a long break would increase my workload two-folds when I resume. Plus, after a long break, it is all the more difficult to return to the old, boring routine. You are better off not knowing what a long break feels like.
Abhishek Raina, AVP-marketing & sales, Fame Cinemas
Took a break after: Two and a half years
Duration of the break: Two days
My wife and I work in different industries, with diametrically different schedules, deadlines and timings. This makes it impossible to coordinate a long holiday together. After much contemplation, we scurried on a 2-day break, at the first chance we got.
Vibhuti Bhatt, HR executive
Took a break after: One year
Duration of the break: A week
After much planning, I was able to take a holiday for a week. Even though it was a 7-day break, it just felt like very short! I would love to go on a long vacation, but it's a difficult task because of heavy work-load.
Signs you need to take a break, ASAP!
Your world exploration is limited to travel shows on TV.
If your colleagues have caught you mumbling the words.
You have been eating at your desk, in fear that you will miss an important email that lands in your inbox while you are away.
After you are done with work, you stay back to blog or play computer games.
You get nightmares of the exact same tasks you do all day at work.
Friends no longer call you for plans. They are fed up of hearing a, "No".
Your posture now resembles that of a pre-historic man.
Work plays kebab mein haddi for these celebs
Pia Trivedi, Model
I haven't taken a break for two years. Every time I decide to take time off, I find myself committed to a new project.
Chetan Hansraj, Actor
My last trip was in February, to Goa for 4 days. I want to take time off but it's impossible to do because of prior work commitments.
Shaan, Singer
Recently, I took 20 days off to holiday in London with my family. That's the longest break I have taken since I was in school!
7 Point rule about vacations
1. A minimum of 3 continuous weeks of holiday is necessary to flush out work "toxins".
2. Regular short breaks are less beneficial to the body as compared to one unbroken break.
3. If the workload is moderate to low, only then is it advisable to take short breaks.
4. If two people work equally hard for 8-10 hours a day, 5 days a week, and one takes more frequent, shorter breaks while the other takes holiday leave as one long break, the latter will undoubtedly receive greater benefits from his/her holiday.
5. Detach yourself from your Blackberry and laptop. You're not really on vacation if you're on a leash. In other words, your boss is just letting you out for a walk.
6. Never succumb to "emergency" calls from office. By saying no, you empower others to handle difficult situations without you. If you really have to be at work, use your return to negotiate for additional vacation days. Make sure you get a compensation for your return flight.
7. Make sure you inform your boss and co-workers well in advance. This will cement your vacation plans and prevent extra work coming your way at the last minute.
