OFF DUTY

Got Vacation?

Here’s exactly why you need to take that mental break this summer—plus learn what your peers are doing with their time off

have you scheduled your summer vacation plans yet?

If not, it’s high time to get on the stick because, well, taking some time off from the daily grind is simply good for you—and your business—in more ways than you may think.

A whopping 42% of Americans didn’t take any vacation days in 2014, according to a study conducted by the travel trends forecasting company Skift. But that’s bad for business.

The proof: A study from Ernst & Young found that with every 10 additional hours of vacation that employees took, bosses gave them better performance ratings. A sure sign that renewal is a path to increased productivity.

In addition, according to a recent study from the U.S. Travel Association, most managers recognize the benefits that taking time off from work provides to employees: higher productivity, stronger workplace morale, greater employee retention, and significant health benefits.

Furthermore, if you need any more reason to take that time off, think of it as your civic duty. If American workers used all their available time off (they fail to use 429 million vacation days annually), the U.S. economy could reap an additional $160 billion in total business sales each year, supporting 1.2 million new American jobs. This additional economic activity would generate more than $21 billion in taxes.

—Erinn Morgan

ECPs ON VACATION

How are eyecare professionals using their time off this summer? Find inspiration here.

“I plan on spending a few weekends at my cabin in Wisconsin. With the second [Art of Optiks] location open as of last month, my trips will be short weekend jaunts to quickly refresh and relax.”
—Stephanie Haenes, owner/optician, Art of Optiks, 2 locations in Minneapolis area

“We go to Myrtle Beach, SC every year. We love finding all the broken glasses on the beach. It doesn’t seem to matter how far we go—we can’t escape work!”
—Danielle Crull, ABOM, owner, A Child’s Eyes, Mechanicsburg, PA

“I came to the USA for vacation 22 years ago, so, technically, I’m still on vacation.”
—Valerie Vittu, owner/optician, Margot & Camille Optique, Philadelphia

“We decided to go early this year for summer vacation. My two sons and my daughter work in my practices, and May is a little slower and a great time to get away. My wife chose May 8-14 for us to travel to Scottsdale, AZ for golf, Major League Baseball, the Grand Canyon, and the red rocks of Sedona.”
—Kevin D. Schmidt, O.D., Eyecare Plus, P.C., six locations in Tennessee

“I just bought a house, so this summer I’m only as far as my MetroCard will take me. LOL! Maybe Coney Island!”
—Scott Erickson, optician, Town Optical, NYC

Jax Crull, optician at A Child’s Eyes and daughter of owner Danielle Crull, ABOM, poses with her version of beach glass—other vacationers’ lost, broken eyewear