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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, December 16, 2007

Give a gift to yourself: time off

By Dana Knight
Indianapolis Star

Hey, you work for Santa Claus or something?

Because if you do, I might understand why you're refusing to take time off this holiday season. You have toys to build, wooden trains to paint, reindeer to feed and gifts to wrap.

But — hello — I doubt a whole lot of you have pointy ears and striped stockings. So why won't you take a break from the job?

Forty-two percent of professionals said they will not take any time off this holiday season, according to a poll by Office-Team, an international staffing service specializing in the placement of skilled administrative professionals.

Other results on days taken off over the next month:

  • One to two days: 17 percent.

  • Three to four days: 15 percent.

  • Five to six days: 13 percent.

  • Seven or more days: 12 percent.

    Nila Boyce of Indianapolis is one of those crazy people who will log lots of work time in the next month, taking not one vacation hour.

    "My pay is entirely commission," she says. "Technically, I can take time off, but if I don't work, I don't get paid."

    Depending on the job, the holidays may not be the most convenient time to take off. Think retail. Or in Kelly Moore's case, temporary staffing. The division director of Menlo Park, Calif.-based OfficeTeam, she says companies trying to fill the gaps for workers who are taking time off turn to her company for replacements.

    "This is our peak season," she says. "So we really plan to make sure everybody gets a good little chunk of time off."

    And, of course, there is that other reason people want to work during the holidays: peace and quiet.

    "If co-workers are off, there are less distractions," Moore said. "Clients are out, the bosses are out of the office, and it's easier to get your work done in a timely fashion."

    But really. The office won't fall apart if you are not there.

    "Make sure you are taking that time off so you don't see that burnout," Moore says. "There is a reason you're given employee days when you start a job. Use it. Don't lose it."

    That's the reason Daniel Walker of McCordsville, Ind., will take a little break the week of Christmas.

    "I have accumulated paid time off, and I cannot carry all of it over to next year," he says.

    Fortunately for Walker, he doesn't have to load a sleigh or slide down chimneys.

    And since you probably don't either, why not try to squeeze a day or two off during this season?

    Make a difference. Donate to The Advertiser Christmas Fund.