Implementing a New Vacation Policy
After holding exit interviews with a number of departing consultants, I was overwhelmed by the number of employees who had failed to take their vacation days. Our average consultant has thirty-three days of accumulated PTO. I understand many of the pressures that make most of you to forego your vacation days so that you may keep your commitments to our clients. However, according to recent research, this amount of unused vacation time is unacceptable. It is evident that employees who use more of their vacation time are happier and more productive at work.
A Change in Vacation Policy
After months of reviewing this matter with the HR team, I concluded that the firm needs a change from our current vacation policy. It is necessary to implement a policy that will encourage all employees to take time off since the current policy provides little to no incentive for one to take their vacation days. I have come to this decision because I believe that a new vacation policy will increase the productivity of every employee.
Details of the New Vacation Policy
Come January 1st, 2016, employees with less than ten years of employment will receive fifteen vacation days a year. Employees with more than ten years of employment will receive twenty vacation days every year. However, employees will only be able to roll over a maximum of five days per year and accumulate no more than thirty vacation days. Moreover, employees will no longer gain cash payouts from unused PTO days after January 1st, 2016. On the same date, every employee with accumulated PTO vacation days will receive their cash payouts. On November 2nd and 11th, I will hold town hall meetings to explain the changes and their benefits in more detail.
Conclusion
Ruth.
