5 tips to help young professionals ask for time off

6/12/2015

For young professionals, requesting vacation time can be intimidating and overwhelming. You want to show you're a hard worker, and you don't want your request to be denied. But if you have paid vacation time available, young professionals should not be afraid to take it. As long as you take a smart approach to making your requests, requesting time off can be a good experience for both you and your employers. Here are five tips from our Master of Human Resource Management students and faculty for how to ask for that much-needed time off:

Plan ahead
Start your vacation planning early so that you will have ample time to finish deadline-driven projects. When deciding your vacation time, try to avoid days when your clients have important events, meetings or other activities that you will help coordinate.
Avoid time conflicts
Ask your HR manager and colleagues if there is anyone else on your team taking time off around the same time as you. Try to avoid taking vacation the same time as your team members, and try your best to be flexible.
Delegate tasks beforehand
When your vacation time is confirmed, delegate tasks to team members who will help cover your workload and prep them fully before you leave. Check in with your boss about your current projects, due dates and next steps. In addition, inform staff members who report to you about their temporary supervisors while you are on vacation.
Provide emergency contact information
Provide phone numbers and emails to your boss and colleagues in case anything urgent arises. It shows you are responsible and considerate.
Think about your return to the office
Meeting deadlines in advance and assigning tasks is not enough. Think about what will happen right when you get back. You will be greeted by new deadlines and tasks. Before you leave, write out a list of key priorities to tackle upon your return. When you get back, set aside time on your calendar to review these priorities and check these items off your to-do list. Planning ahead will keep you from feeling that you need a vacation after your vacation.
Be prepared for your request to be denied.
No matter how much you prepare for requesting time off, you can't control when your employer decides to deny your time-off request. Work with your fellow employees to coordinate vacation schedules that work well for all of you, and come ready with a few back-up dates in mind. If possible, don't book flights or make travel arrangements until you're sure you can get the time off.

With these tips, we hope you can confidently request and receive vacation time. Do you have any other tips? Share with us on Facebookand be sure to follow @NECBedu on Twitter and LinkedIn!