The festive season is typically a time when most businesses close for a couple of weeks over Christmas and New Year. With the out of office e-mail messages ready and the office plants watered, people leave their desks to enjoy some well earned down time with friends and family.

But before you step out of the office, here are a couple of things to double check, so you can enjoy the festive season.

• Annual leave entitlements – Make sure you know how much annual leave you have accrued and are entitled to. Ensure you have also spoken to your boss about different options, like going on unpaid leave (particularly if you are interested in taking more time off in the following year).
• Even if the whole business is closing down for Christmas, make sure you have rescheduled any meetings (in case you’ve had a mind blank).
• Make sure any stakeholders or clients are aware of when the business is closed. If necessary, put an emergency contact number on your phone message/email message for urgent matters.<
• Before you leave, make note of the things that need attending to in the New Year. There are things that might not need attention ASAP, but will be important when you return.
• If the business is remaining open during the holidays, make sure other staff have access to important files/documents should urgent matters arise.
• Clean and tidy your desk, so you come back to a neat work environment. Make sure any confidential documents are securely locked away, but leave any necessary keys (for the mail box etc) somewhere that may be easily accessed if necessary.
• Set up your out of office e-mail and phone message with the date you will be away and the intended date you are back.
• Don’t feel guilty! If there were a couple of non urgent matters you could not attend to before you leave, don’t dwell on it over the holidays. It can be attended to in the New Year, when you can look at it with fresh eyes. You will be refreshed and ready to start off a New Year after your break.

Once everything is in check and your bag is packed, wave goodbye to your desk and enjoy good food, family and friends over the Christmas and New Year period.

Written by Natassja Ford