Why you should never miss out on your annual leave

PIC: Morris Osire Tukei, a clinical psychologist at IHK during an interview (Credit: Vivian Agaba)

HEALTH

KAMPALA - Some people never take annual leave even when they are entitled to it. This is because they fear that the workplace may fall apart without them, while others simply believe they do not need it.

However, experts say working for long without taking leave comes with mind and body exhaustion and the employee may in the process become stressed, something that  may slowly bog down one's performance at work.

Morris Osire Tukei, a clinical psychologist at Iinternational Hospital Kampala, says many a times, he has interacted with people who tell him that their performance at work has deteriorated and they feel stressed all the time.

When he queries further, he finds out that some of them never take leave at all.

Tukei says some people at workplaces are so stressed that when a colleague cracks a joke, they take it seriously and feel offended, saying this a beckoning that one needs to take some days off work and re-energise.

"Some people are not aware of their leave rights, while others think they do not need it. But any human being with a body and brain deserves few days or weeks of leave after months of working. By taking leave, you are allowing the body and mind to relax and this fights off stress and depression," Tukei says.

"Every employee, including bosses need to take annual leave and it is not true that when a boss is away, the company will collapse. That is why it is always important for bosses to train and delegate their responsibilities to other employees so that when they are away on leave, they are not on tension that things may not be going on well," he added.

Tukei says some of the signs a stressed employee may portray include social withdrawal, mood swings, depression and being easily irritable.

He explains that taking days off from the usual routine and doing something different or resting plays a critical role in re-energising your mind, which keeps you mentally sane.
 
Most experts advise that when on leave, focus more on doing things that you love (hobbies) such as swimming, exercising, going out with friends, listening to music and reading inspirational books among others. These are some of the activities that will alleviate stress.

Tukei points out that spending lots of time with family and friends during annual leave is rewarding because you are able to have quality time together, bond and catch up with new developments in each other's lives.

Edith Anderu, a human resource manager, Samaritan Purse in Bugolobi, says every employee must take leave in order to have time to relax and rejuvenate, which will boost productivity after they have returned to work.

By taking time off at intervals throughout the year, one is giving the body a chance to rest, which can result in you needing to take less time off for sickness.

The experts advise that when on leave, minimise checking on mails from your workplace as there may be calls to come and do some work, also do not carry work at home as this may interfere with your leave.