Americans in vacation crisis -- Page 2

Be clear about what is negotiable and what is not. Grenny says if you're flexible about the timing of your vacation, but definitely want two weeks off, say so. If you fail to fully explain your needs and their importance, you may well end up not going on vacation.

Build a good foundation of worth. "Find ways to let your value be known before you make your vacation plans," says Sean Agnew, a principal with the Blue Metallic Entertainment Group and a coach and consultant who works with telecommunication, software and entertainment companies. If you have a proven track record as a good, contributing employee, it will be easier for you to ask for time off and easier for your boss to grant your request.

Never cancel your vacation. Make it a top priority. "Always make your vacation as urgent and important as your work," says Mark Sincevich, a work-life balance consultant based in Bethesda, Md. "Treat it like a very important doctor's visit or a client meeting."

Schedule your vacation as far in advance as possible. That gives you and your boss the most time to plan for the absence and make your vacation plans a reality. Planning way ahead will reduce the need to cancel or postpone your vacation.

Give gentle reminders. Liz Ryan, a workplace expert and founder of WorldWIT.org, an online community for professional women, recommends reminding your boss every month about your vacation and checking in with your boss before making major, nonrefundable deposits. "There will come a point in time when you've so thoroughly communicated your vacation plans that your boss can't really interfere without feeling terrible (or at least refunding those nonrefundable fares)," says Ryan, who is based in Boulder, Colo.

Seek input from your boss. "Part of the reason that so many people carry so much unused vacation time is that bosses would often rather not see people take it -- they just want to ignore the issue," Ryan says. Check with your boss about when and how to take vacation. Making your boss part of the solution, rather than part of the problem, will help you get time off. Also, when your boss helps choose the time you'll be away, odds are he or she won't object when it's time for you to take it.

Pick the right time. "Schedule your vacation around the schedule of your business," says Robin Bond, an employment attorney. "For instance, if you work in accounting, don't plan on vacationing in March."

Be open to creative solutions. Although taking a longer vacation is usually better mental respite than taking a long weekend, if a shorter time frame increases the odds you'll take time off, go for it. "It is perfectly reasonable to propose to your boss that you take off every other Friday for six months when you've got tons of vacation time squirreled away," Ryan says. You can even consider taking half days if it's just impossible to take a full day off.

Stop and smell the roses. If you travel on business frequently but rarely get time off, consider piggybacking a personal trip on top of business travel. "Make it a habit to always schedule some 'me time' when on a business trip," says Sincevich.

Delay a new job's start date. Always take time between jobs since many employers won't let new hires take vacation immediately. "It won't be counted against you, and you need the time away to recharge and prepare for the next employer," Sincevich says. In addition, try bargaining for extra vacation time when switching jobs. "I was able to turn a 'signing bonus' into three weeks of extra vacation," Sincevich says.

Cover your bases. Another way to make your time off more palatable to your boss is to cross-train your colleagues so they can substitute for you while you're gone and vice versa. "Cross-training is the secret to long vacations in Europe," says Joe Robinson, author of "Work to Live."

And if you're finding it difficult to schedule vacation time, remember that taking an annual vacation is just as important to your health as a regular checkup at the doctor's office, says Robinson. Never feel guilty for asking for the vacation time that you are due.

"Time off is medicine," he says. "It's as important to your health as watching your cholesterol or getting exercise."

Besides, time off translates into improved job performance -- something you might want to remind your boss next time he balks at the idea of you going away on vacation.