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Richard Mills asked:


Some years ago a colleague – a very conscientious hardworking staff member – was boldly declaring she enjoyed 50 leave days a year! Naturally as everyone else only had 25 days leave a year we wanted to know what was going on (writing as a Brit due sympathies to USA colleagues who continue the noble vacation ethic of the Founding Fathers). She pointed out somewhat dryly that she enjoyed not only her own 25 vacation days but a further 25 days at work when her boss was on vacation. As her “boss” I had to admire this stoical point of view.

We are approaching that time of year where many are thinking about vacation and holiday. It is also the time managers get caught out when discovering key personnel are away presumably enjoying themselves. Of course “key” redefines itself at this time. It won’t be the first time the absence of the quiet conscientious worker in a “small” part of the process brings the whole system to a grinding halt. In the main “weightier” process is brought into sharp focus as auto-responders hit the network heralding re-alignment of project schedules and business goals. They also reveal the staff who could keep things on course also “jetted” out a few days earlier. Workplace tension increases, blame culture kicks-in and the unstated implication of the “I’ve already paid my deposit” riposte is uttered in hushed tones over the water-cooler.

When staff encounter large chunks of leave, “ring-fenced” several months, if not a year earlier, for popular holiday periods they feel aggrieved. Facing little pity from others who got their vacation schedule sorted “in good time” only makes resentment worse. Nevertheless managers learn to live with a few irksome weeks of leave “grabbing” and figure out how to make up later. Eventually the popular holiday periods are out of the way, staff get back and settle down to business. If only it was that simple. Staff who have worked all through the holiday period now take their banked vacation for an out of season group soirée. Vacation and leave scheduling can be an all round year nightmare.

Poor vacation or leave scheduling can raise staff temperature that will keep them warm right through the winter months and into the following year. If that isn’t bad enough it can be more serious for the business. Missed deadlines, extended time to market and frustrated customers. Without a proper system of vacation scheduling managers may learn to ignore staff resentment, or even the wrath of senior management. Few managers however can learn to ignore the pincer grip of both.

Being caught like this need not happen. Good vacation or leave scheduling involves planning ahead and that much seems obvious. It is the context of other business goals and workplace scheduling that is often missing which leads to these conflicts. Simply recording a vacation balance against a staff leave entitlement is not good enough. All that does is tell you when someone can’t have anymore vacation or leave. Similarly the easy to use 10% rule doesn’t really help. The vacation or leave criterion can be met but a combined absence from the same key group can still paralyse those left behind until staff get back.

The following suggestions hammered out of workplace experience can make a big difference for the manager assailed throughout the year with vacation and leave conflicts. First make sure it is your job. There is a simple test for this. Do staff put vacation or leave requests to you for approval? If the answer is yes it is your job, if the answer is no then it isn’t. The practice of submitting leave requests through line managers that do not approve leave is a confusing and useless practice. Managers who manage approve leave. Summer is approaching so get it sorted at the next management team meeting.

Get a vacation schedule in place

You need to align your vacation scheduling alongside other information about staff organization and workplace schedules e.g. departments, teams, shifts, and assignments. It doesn’t have to complicated and will provide a proper context for approving vacation or leave.

Make sure public holiday dates are flagged well ahead of time

These are traditional magnets for leave requests. They often get overlooked, especially by staff that don’t have children of school age around providing a constant reminder about the annual holiday schedule. When staff suddenly “discover” they have an “extra day off” it is commitment, for the manager it is inconsiderate. A pity when you are working just as hard simply not to notice.

You need to know how many staff are requesting leave at the same time

The only thing going for the 10% rule is it’s easy and has the appearance of fairness. Ironically it is usually present when there is nothing else. Looking at dates is useful, knowing which days of the week is better. Dates are used for records; days are used for planning, so use both to get proper context. If you must use a 10% rule be prepared to be flexible. There is nothing more frustrating for staff than to be denied a vacation or leave opportunity that does not impact the business.

Identify leave requests as first round and second round choices

When it comes to vacation or leave at popular times of the year staff want to know they are being considered. A system of first round choices followed by second round choices enable more staff to enjoy some of their vacation during popular holiday periods. Staff will often work out arrangements with colleagues before even involving you. What hurts is when they don’t get considered at all and fall victim to some ill-thought out “seniority” policy, or 10% rule that can be both inflexible and unfair.

You need more than an outstanding leave balance

A simple calculation about leave taken and leave outstanding is not that useful. You need to track both leave that has been taken, and when leave has been scheduled but not yet taken. This will avoid a rush of unplanned vacation and leave requests toward the end of the year as time runs out. Hard working staff just may not realise how much leave they have left. Even if they don’t thank you they will understand the sense of what you are trying to do.

View vacation and leave status by defined group

For a manager it is more important to view vacation or leave status by department, team or job groups rather than by individual staff. Even when the overall number of requests is within limits approving staff leave from one particular team or job group can severely impact the rest of the business.

Make it a routine not an anniversary

You need to have access about the status of vacation when you need it. It should be part of your weekly if not daily management routine. Not two or three times a year when it is already causing a problem that takes several hours if not days to sort out.

Vacation is important and for many it is special. It doesn’t just affect the staff themselves but the people they plan vacation and leave with. Vacation and leave scheduling directly affects how staff think, feel and perform for the organization well into the following leave year. On the other hand don’t expect staff to point out the reasons why their vacation or leave shouldn’t be approved. As a manager you may not please everybody all of the time when it comes to approving vacation and leave schedules, but you will earn respect when making better sense of it.



Morris

ChickenLadyLovesLife asked:


I am not anti-beach, but beach activity alone does not make a vacation for me. What are your favorite areas of Hawaii other than the beach? I would be up for urban pursuits, wildlife viewing, or anything unique and fun.

Sisely

Mark Fazoli asked:


Each year, millions of tourists make the decision to travel to Hawaii. Are you looking to become one of those individuals? If so, there is a chance that you may be planning a Hilo vacation. Hilo is located along the eastern coast of Hawaii’s Big Island. Most known for its wide array of local attractions and activities, Hilo is also known for its selection of overnight accommodations, which tend to include hotels and vacation resorts. If you are planning on taking a Hilo vacation, you may be wondering where you should stay, in a Hilo vacation renal or in a Hilo hotel. Perhaps, the best way to make a decision is to examine the advantages and disadvantages of each.

When visiting Hawaii, a large number of tourists make the decision to book a stay at a local hotel, such as a Hilo hotel. One of the reasons for that is familiarity. In many areas of the United States, vacation rentals and vacation resorts are still, relatively, new. For that reason, a large number of individuals feel more comfortable staying in a hotel. In addition to familiarity, Hilo hotels are popular among tourists because of their affordability. It is a known fact that most hotels, including Hilo hotels are cheaper to afford, when compared to vacation rentals or even vacation resorts. Therefore, many vacationers on a budget choose to stay at a Hilo hotel.

Although most Hilo hotels are familiar, in the general sense, and affordable, there are a few disadvantages to them. One of those disadvantages is the lack of onsite facilities. When staying at a Hilo hotel, there are many tourists who expect to get everything that they need and everything that they want. Unfortunately, not all are happy with what they find. Unlike most vacation resorts, which are designed to give travelers everything that they need all in one place, hotels are more for overnight accommodations. Most hotels are built with the goal of giving vacationers a place to stay, just overnight. While there are some five star hotels that come equipped with onsite salons, fitness centers, restaurants, and tennis courts, not all do.

In addition to Hilo hotels, you can also book a stay at a Hilo vacation rental. Hilo vacation rentals, also commonly referred to as Hilo vacation homes, are homes that are available for rents, to tourists just like you. What is nice about most Hilo vacation rentals is the fact that they come in a number of different sizes and styles. For instance, Hilo vacation rentals are often classified as standard vacation rentals or luxury vacation rentals. Since Hilo is located along the coast of Hawaii’s Big Island it is also possible to find Hilo beachfront vacation rentals that are available for rent.

Although Hilo vacation rentals do come in a number of different styles, you will find that many are somewhat secluded. This is one of the reasons why Hilo vacation rentals are so popular; they make vacationers feel as if they are worlds apart from the rest of the island. It is also important note that vacation homes are just that, homes. That is another one of the many reasons why Hilo vacation rentals homes come so highly recommended; they allow vacationers to enjoy a vacation while still being able to feel the comfort of home.

As with Hilo hotels, there are also a number of disadvantages to renting Hilo vacation homes. One of those disadvantages is the cost. You will find that most vacation rentals cost more than a stay at a Hilo hotel or a Hilo vacation resort; however, it is important to remember everything that you are getting. If the cost of a Hilo vacation rental is a concern, you should be able to search for and maybe even find rentals that are within your budget; however, you are advised to do so in advance. Another one of the disadvantages to Hilo vacation homes is their rise in popularity. This rise in popularity may make it difficult for you to reserve the Hilo vacation home of your choice; that is why it is important that you make your reservations in advance.

Before you make your Hilo vacation reservations, you are urged to take a few minutes and consider the advantages and disadvantages of both Hilo vacation rentals and Hilo hotels. Doing so will help to ensure that the decision you make is the one that can benefit you and your traveling party the most.



Wynn

jasonmcgregor asked:


Vacation condo rentals and other kinds of vacation homes are fast gaining popularity. These kinds of accommodation facilities are far better than any hotel especially when the group traveling is large. One can hire a vacation cottage or a vacation home which is large enough to occupy the tourists. When visiting an island like the Kauai, vacation beach rental homes would be the perfect place. You have the proximity to the beach and at the same time a magnificent place to live. One such truly magnificent place is Haena vacation rentals. Haena is a small township in Hawaii which has almost everything; like the beaches, waterfalls, jungles, wonderful trails for hiking and the beautiful sunset. One can experience all this by visiting this small place located in Kauai Island in Hawaii.

Moloa`a and Anahola are places of tourist interests in Kauai. This place is unique because the natives of Hawaii are said to reside here and most of the land is set aside to provide accommodation to them. There is a lot that one can do in Anahola. Golf, surfing, snorkeling, fishing and scuba diving are just some of the activities that one can indulge in. Anahola is very close to the airport and also to the harbor making it an ideal place for transportation facilities by both locals and visitors.Anahola vacation rentals Anahola vacation rentals are also very popular. There are many Anahola vacation rentals which provide easy access to the beach and at the same time provide an excellent ocean view.

Hawaii is known for its Hawaii vacation homes which gives us the luxury of a hotel whilst having the feeling of a home. Hawaii vacation cottages are also good places to stay. The island has many such places to stay and Kauai vacation rentals would be a good choice. The biggest advantage of staying in a vacation home is that more number of people can stay at a lesser cost as compared to a regular hotel. With the increasing popularity of vacation condo rentals and vacation beach rental homes, the number of people in the business of vacation homes has also increased. Vacation rentals provide many facilities such as a kitchen in the unit which you can use to cook your own food, which helps in cutting costs on food. Along with that most vacation homes provide grills, washers and dryers, Cable TV along with DVD and CD player, Jacuzzi bath tub and many such facilities which help you enjoy your vacation to the fullest.

Plan your holiday soon to Hawaii to be in the laps of nature and to enjoy the true beauty of the place. Early bookings would help you find a good vacation home and a little negotiation may even get you a discount. At Hawaii vacation homes and Hawaii vacation cottages, life is at its best. God has been very kind to this place, by providing it with abundant scenic beauty. Places like Haena, are rare. Sitting at a Kauai vacation rentals and enjoying the beauty of the ocean is just like being in paradise.



Walley