Tag Archives: Summer

Policies, PTO, and Beachside Guilt: How HR Can Normalize Taking Time Off

by | | Human Resources

Summer is almost here, and for many professionals, it’s not just the temperature that’s heating up.

Work demands are still high, inboxes remain full, and the idea of taking time off often brings more anxiety than excitement. Even with generous PTO policies on paper, many employees struggle with actually using their time.

In fact, millions of vacation days go unused every year – which is both a personal loss for employees and a strategic problem for organizations.

The Cultural Problem Behind Unused Time Off

Employees hesitate to take PTO for a variety of reasons: fear of falling behind, guilt about burdening colleagues, unspoken pressure from leadership, or unclear handoff processes.

Even when time off is encouraged, the mixed signals people receive often tell a different story. If leaders don’t model healthy time-off behavior or even make the critical mistake of quietly rewarding burnout, teams won’t fail to take the hint.

This will always lead to quiet resentment, less engagement, and, eventually, turnover.

The Real Value of Stepping Away

Time off is often seen as a luxury, but it’s really more of a reset button – and a necessary one.

It’s proven to boost mental health, creativity, problem-solving, and long-term productivity. When people return from vacation well-rested, they tend to bring better ideas, more patience, and renewed energy to their roles.

There’s also a financial angle, as unused PTO can accumulate as a liability on the company’s books. If employees leave without taking their vacation time, organizations may have to pay it out anyway – often without reaping any of the productivity or wellness benefits that come from its intended use.

In short: not encouraging time off is a lose-lose.

How HR Can Set the Tone This Summer

Here are a few strategic ways HR can promote a healthy vacation culture:

  • Audit your PTO usage data. Are there departments where vacation usage is especially low? Patterns may reveal cultural issues that need addressing.
  • Clarify expectations. Encourage leaders to discuss handoff procedures and coverage plans openly, so that employees don’t feel like they’re “abandoning ship” by taking a break.
  • Lead by example. When executives and managers take time off and truly disconnect, it encourages others to do the same.
  • Communicate benefits clearly. Don’t assume everyone understands the financial and emotional value of time off. Consider creating a short internal campaign that ties PTO to performance, well-being, and fairness.
  • Review your policies. Is your PTO structure aligned with your values? Consider flexible options like floating holidays or mental health days if traditional vacation time isn’t getting used.

Time Off Is a Benefit, But Only If It’s Used

As summer begins, it’s the perfect time to check in on how your organization approaches PTO.

The best benefits are the ones that get used, and vacation time is no exception. HR teams play a key role in removing guilt, reshaping expectations, and ensuring employees take the breaks they’ve earned – because smart organizations don’t just offer PTO, they make sure it’s put to good use.

Summer Safety: Protecting Employees from Record-Breaking Heat

by | | Human Resources

As temperatures soar to shocking levels with parts of California recently reaching a scorching 128 degrees Fahrenheit, it cannot be overstated how high a priority worker safety should be for HR. This year’s record-breaking heat is nothing short of dangerous, especially for employees with outdoor duties. Human Resources must implement safety protocols to keep employees safe from extreme heat and other hazards commonly seen in summer.

Extreme Heat Dangers

Being exposed to high temperatures for too long can cause major health concerns like heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and dehydration. Obviously outdoor workers are much more vulnerable, but even indoor workers are not immune when venturing outside for breaks or long commutes.

HR Safety Checklist

For the sake of employees, HR must be proactive in implementing safety procedures during the summer months:

  1. Awareness and Training:
    • Awareness Campaigns: Use campaigns so employees know the signs of heat-related sickness while encouraging hydration.
    • Training Programs: Offer trainings on heat safety, including how to know when a heat emergency is occurring and how to respond.
  2. Work Schedule Changes:
    • Flexibility: Flexible work hours can enable outdoor employees to work during parts of the day that are less oppressive, such as early in the morning or later in the evening.
    • Breaks: It should be made clear that workers should not be shy about taking breaks, and taking them often.
  3. Hydration:
    • Water Stations: Have hydration stations with lots of water as well as electrolyte drinks easily accessible at work sites.
    • Encouragement: It’s easy to forget to drink water when you’re busy. Encourage employees to drink water often, even when not thirsty.
  4. The Right Gear:
    • Cool Clothing: Provide light, airy clothes, hats and sunglasses to protect workers from the harmful summer sun.
    • Sunscreen: Have sunscreen with a high SPF available at sites so workers stay protected against UV rays.
  5. Indoor Safety:
    • Cool Down Spots: Be sure to have cool down locations inside so employees can escape the heat if they need to.
    • Outdoor Warnings: Make sure indoor workers are staying safe when they go outside by wearing sunglasses, using sunscreen, and having a water bottle.

Other Seasonal Hazards

Extreme heat isn’t the only summer danger that HR should be on top of:

  • Air: Extreme heat tends to cause bad air quality, which can impact respiratory health. Seek to minimize pollution exposure and ensure air purity in indoor spaces.
  • Insects: Mosquitoes and ticks like to carry diseases, and unfortunately they also like summer. Bug bite education and availability of insect repellant could be the difference between a healthy and sick employee.
  • Sun: To protect from skin damage caused by sun exposure, motivate workers to wear protective clothing and sunscreen.

As we contend with record-breaking heat, it’s up to Human Resources to guarantee the health and safety of employees. By utilizing safety practices, raising awareness, and making the right alterations to schedules and work areas, HR can make sure that workers stay well during the most brutally hot time of year.