Page 3 - The Leadership Line: March 2023

Managing Time-off Requests

At times, the accommodations employees need for time off don’t always accommodate your immediate
preferences as a leader. It’s important to demonstrate you value these team members far too much to place certain
inconveniences over their needs. If employees feel secure and supported in setting healthy work-life boundaries,
they’ll know they’re appreciated for who they are, not just what they can do.
It’s important to give employees independence and autonomy when it comes to handling time-off requests. The
following tips require collaboration and good communication.

Tips for managing time off requests: 4. Overlapping PTO requests
Consider setting up a shared calendar in Outlook to
1. Provide clear direction on time off requests help reduce the number of overlapping requests. If
Let your team know: workers can see who has already requested time off,
» How far in advance do they need to ask for time they can better plan their own requests and are less
off likely to ask for overlapping time off.
» If there are any time or date limitations on 5. Be an example
vacations If you take time off, your employees will feel it’s okay
» How they should prepare before their vacation
to cover their work to do the same. It’s important to encourage time off.
Talk about your own vacation plans with your team.
Emphasize that you understand everyone needs a
break and, if possible, you’ll try to accommodate 6. Say no to vacation shaming
everyone’s leave schedules. Employees may be less inclined to step away from
their computers because they don’t want it to
2. Assess your business needs
negatively affect how their team views their work
3. Respond to time-off requests in a timely ethic. Support and show positive reassurance for those
manner interested in submitting time-off requests.

How to Show Appreciation to Your Team

Employee appreciation is important because it lets your team members know they and
their contributions are valued. It encourages them to continue doing great work and
gives them a sense of security, which can lead to less stress and greater confidence in
the workplace.

Appreciation tips
Prioritize personal outreach Social Media
Personal outreach takes just a few minutes of your time Posting messages on social media is a great way to show
and is an incredibly powerful way to help employees feel employee appreciation by tagging them and engaging
appreciated. It’s important to remember to personally others to interact with them!
thank your teammates for the work they do in a timely Appreciation Meals
and specific way. Treating your employees to lunch now and then is a
Offer professional development great way to bring the team together and get to know
Providing professional development opportunities and them on a more personal level. If they are remote,
encouraging employees to grow within the organization consider giving them a Door Dash certificate.
is one of the most powerful ways you can show your
appreciation.