Returning to work after holidays can sometimes feel daunting. However, with the right strategies, you can smoothly transition back into work, manage your emails, reduce stress, catch up efficiently, and ultimately boost your productivity.
In this guide, we offer practical advice to help you confidently tackle your return to work.
Before You Leave: Setting Up for a Smooth Return
Preparation is key. Creating a clear handover and out-of-office reply can help ease the workload when you return.
A Helpful Handover
In your handover, it is important to detail the ongoing projects and tasks you are responsible for, including deadlines, contact details of those supporting you on the project, and sharing access to a folder with all relevant documents.
Delegate tasks and clearly communicate what your colleagues will be responsible for. Meet them for a cup of coffee before your departure to run through any questions they may have and ensure they understand how to support you in your absence. This will ensure continuity and reduce the workload waiting for you.
Schedule a One-on-One with Your Emails
Book time in your calendar for your first day back, dedicated to catching up on emails.
This ensures a specific time frame where your team knows you are busy so no other meetings can be booked, and allows you to catch up on email trails uninterrupted.
Create an Action Plan for Your Return
Having a plan in place can make your return to work after holidays smoother and less stressful.
Outline top priorities to help you get back on track quickly, and break your work into manageable chunks spread across your first week back to make the tasks feel less overwhelming.
Set Your Out of Office
Ensure your out-of-office message is clear, specifying your exact return-to-work date and listing alternative contacts for urgent matters.
Feel free to use the template below:
“Thank you for your email. I am out of the office on leave until [DATE]. If your enquiry is urgent, please contact [COLLEAGUE NAME] at [COLLEAGUE NUMBER/EMAIL ADDRESS]. Otherwise, I will respond to your email as soon as possible upon my return.”
You can also set an out-of-office voicemail so callers are also aware you are on annual leave.
Managing the sender’s expectations allows you time to respond without immediate pressure.
On Your Holiday: Make the Most of Your Annual Leave
To feel truly refreshed, it is essential to be present and fully embrace your annual leave. Your handover is in place, your out-of-office message is activated, and everyone knows you are on holiday – make sure you do too.
If possible, leave your work phone and laptop at home to avoid the temptation to check emails and respond to queries. People are already aware that you are unavailable due to your out-of-office notification.
When asked about your holiday, you want to be able to say something along the lines of, “It was wonderful! We went kayaking, visited historical sites, relished the local cuisine…” rather than “It was fine; I kept on top of my emails, made progress on my project, and had a meeting with so and so…”
Annual leave exists for a reason. You need this time to rest and recuperate so that you return to work feeling refreshed and ready to tackle your responsibilities with renewed energy.
Return to Work: Easing Back into Your Routine
Upon your return, it is important to allow yourself time to transition and ease back into your routine rather than diving straight into work mode.
Catch Up with Colleagues
Arrange a casual meeting with colleagues who supported you with your handover. This gives you time to discuss your holiday, catch up on what’s been happening, and find out where your projects are at.
Triage Your Inbox
A flood of emails can be the most daunting aspect of returning to work. Here’s how to handle it in your diarised time:
- Sort and Filter: Use filters to sort your emails by sender, subject, or priority. This helps you quickly identify and respond to critical messages.
- Check through the chain: Ask your colleague cc’d in for the most recent updates.
- Archive or Delete: Don’t be afraid to archive or delete non-essential emails. Keeping your inbox clean reduces stress and improves efficiency.
Avoid Doing Everything at Once
Refer back to your action plan and reassess your list of priorities as this may have changed in your absence, with new tasks being added to your to-do list.
Use the Eisenhower Matrix to help prioritise your tasks. Draw a quadrant and label the first Urgent/Important, the second Not Urgent/Important, the third Urgent/Less Important, and the fourth Not Urgent/Less Important. According to productivity experts, you do the tasks in quadrant one, decide on when to deal with tasks in quadrant two, delegate tasks in quadrant three, and delete the items in quadrant four. As well as assisting with prioritisation, it can also help you manage your work time better.
Take Short Breaks
To help maintain your concentration and prevent burnout, you could implement the Pomodoro Technique. This involves working for 25 minutes, taking a 5-minute break and then repeating. This approach keeps you engaged, prevents mental fatigue, and enhances productivity.
There are a few ways you can get the most out of your break. For instance, spend a few minutes on deep breathing exercises to reduce anxiety and clear your mind. Staying active and stretching regularly is a great stress reliever, so taking a quick walk or doing some chair yoga is a quick and easy way to boost your energy levels and help you reset. Or simply get yourself a refreshment to stay fueled and focused.
Returning to work after holidays doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. By planning your return, managing your emails effectively, taking regular breaks, and catching up efficiently, you can transform this period into a highly productive and positive time.
