Many reasons to take a real break from work says AUT expert
For most New Zealanders summer means a big break from work and the chance to unwind with family and friends. Professor Tim Bentley, director of AUT’s NZ Work Research Institute says there are more reasons than ever to ‘switch off’ properly.
Bentley has noticed attitudes to breaks and holidays changing, with some workers reluctant to step away from their jobs for any length of time. Our increasing connection to our work via technology coupled with a desire to keep a firm grip on our jobs mean many of us are blurring the lines between work and downtime, says Bentley.
"Workplaces are increasingly competitive places, but instead of thinking about time away from work as wasted time, we should see holidays as a way to stock up on the energy we need to remain productive and valued in our jobs,” says Bentley.
He says holidays definitely shouldn’t be seen as a time to catch up on work – anyone who is that busy at work should talk to their manager about workload and getting some extra resources to help.
Bentley says some people are forgoing not just long holidays, but also daily and weekly ‘downtime’, by remaining connected to their work via technology like smartphones.
“The workday used to end when we left the office, but now the lines are getting blurred by the constant presence of our work, via technology. Having a break takes more self-discipline than it used to because we have to resist that blurring effect, and create boundaries. This lack of downtime during the year is yet another reason to step away from work completely on a regular basis, says Bentley.
"Taking a break can be difficult if you are a small business owner or in an organisation with a strong emphasis on time spent in the office. But we have to move away from the ‘always on’ mentality, and accept that healthy work involves a balance of effort and rest.”
New Zealand Work Research Institute
Future of Work Conference on 9 February 2015