Nearly empty offices is a common sight around year end when many utilise their pending leaves to start the new year on a fresh note. But for those working during Christmas and New Ýear weekdays, it may be tempting to go slow or in some cases vanish altogether. Managers sometimes have to deal with unwilling or invisible employees who take a half day or full day without formally informing. This could create a mess that could be tough to clear up later on. And that’s where employers and employees can mutually work together to avoid the situation. Let’s understand holiday season’s most dangerous workplace trend that could land you in trouble.
What is ghost vacationing
Ghost vacationing is when you surreptitiously step away from work without informing your manager. This may go unnoticed for some as co-workers at times cover up. However, if caught, this could lead to serious issues at the workplace, which can damage your workplace reputation.
Why is it common amid holidays
Ghost vacationing is common during holiday time like Christmas and New Year, as fewer people at the workplace and missing managers, which may psychologically affect your motivation to work, especially among those who are burnt out or have taken fewer leaves during the year, or for some reason have been denied leaves.
The root cause of ghost vacationing
AI-powered career tool Kickresume carried out research among 1900 workers across United States and Europe, wherein 32% of US employees and 33% of European workers admitted to ghost vacationing at least once. The findings pointed towards mental health concerns and burnout as the top reasons behind the trend.
Risks of ghost vacationing
Amanda Augustine, a career expert at TopResume told Business Insider that getting caught could land people in trouble.
“The timing can exacerbate the situation if you disappear when many people within your company are already scheduled to be off. If an issue arises — maybe a last-minute project or a client concern — and you’re not available when you’re supposed to be, the ghost vacation really can backfire,” she told the outlet.
Co-worker resentment is another issue. Augustine said that people who formally applied leaves may feel cheated. They may think – “I played by the rules, and then somebody just decides to go rogue, and now we all suffer for it,” says the expert.
Guilty of ghost vacationing? How to avoid it
If you have at some point of time indulged in ghost vacationing, it’s important to avoid such a situation in future to save yourself from embarrassment. Having a heart-to-heart with manager and explaining your burnout and concerns can help you get a legit time off. Secondly, planned leaves can save you from landing in an office situation where you are unable to cope. Third, in case you feel something urgent requires your attention at home, dropping a message to your manager is always better than skipping conversation altogether.
Augustine told Business Insider that clear communication with your boss is important so that expectations are understood.
What you can do as a manager
As a manager, understanding the needs of your colleagues is important to build a close working bond with them.
“Bosses can help reduce workers’ temptation to slip away by being extra accommodating during periods like the holidays, Peter Duris, CEO of Kickresume, told Business Insider.
