Which ‘out of officer’ are you? How stress-free will your Christmas holiday really be?

Research conducted by Reed has found that a lot of workers struggle to switch off from work when on holiday, with nearly two-thirds (61%) thinking or worrying about work at some point while on annual leave.

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Which ‘Out Of Officer’ Are You  How Stress Free Will Your Christmas Holiday Really Be  1

over 1 year ago

With the Christmas holidays creeping up, many workers are looking forward to the holiday season to switch off.

“Lots of people have an ‘always on’ culture, with emails and work messages now at our fingertips through our phones and laptops,” says Ian Nicholas, Global Managing Director at Reed. This is backed up by the research, which revealed that nearly half (45%) of workers check their emails while they are away or just before their return.

“Remote working has transformed the way a large number of the UK workforce plan and enjoy their time off. It’s becoming more and more difficult for people to truly switch off. A big part of the problem, if people see it as one, is the boundaries that workers set with employers and colleagues – especially when it comes to signing off for a few weeks,” adds Ian.

Ian explains that this can also lead to a prompt ‘restress’ when employees return to work, with the research uncovering that it only takes 11 hours for the holiday blues to kick in and stress levels to revert to normal once we’ve returned to work post annual leave.

“It’s so important for employees to be able to switch off and have a relaxing holiday season – no matter how demanding their job role may be”, continues Ian.

From the research, Reed has unveiled the five most common ‘out of office styles’ – which, depending on what our automated message says, will depend on how much of your work life will bleed into your Christmas holiday.

What’s your OOO personality?

“Our out-of-office (OOO) message sets the tone for how we wish to be contacted while away. Those who are more prone to stress are likely to check their phones and struggle to switch off and are more likely to be vague about how they wish to be contacted during annual leave,” explains Ian.

“In other cases, those who have strong boundaries between their work and personal life, may clearly state they do not wish to be contacted and, therefore, don’t leave any further contact details or information for people to get in touch.

“There’s no right or wrong way. But if you want to switch off from work, there has to be a limit to how responsive and available you are.”

Reed is revealing popular OOO personalities:

  • ‘The secret stresser’– someone who leaves their work phone behind but spends the whole holiday worrying about work.

If you’re a secret stresser, your OOO may sound similar to this: “Thanks for your email but I’m currently off for the Christmas period. I will get back to you on my return.” But what you really mean is: “Thanks for your email. I’m currently off for Christmas thinking about your email and worrying about catching up. I will get back to you on my return.”

  • ‘The crisis checker’– someone who needs the reassurance that there’s no crisis waiting for them at work to get them through the day.

If you’re a crisis checker, your OOO may read: “I’m currently off for Christmas and will get back to you as soon as I can. If it’s an emergency, please call my mobile.” But what you really mean is: “I’m currently off for Christmas and will get back to you as soon as I can. Rest assured I’m reading all of my emails each day so I can be confident there’s no crisis while I’m gone. I’ll respond if I spot that something’s gone wrong.”

  • ‘The clean breaker’– someone who can actually fully switch off when they’re on annual leave and therefore doesn’t take their work phone or laptop.

A clean breaker’s OOO will read similar to: “Thanks for your email. I am off for Christmas and will not be checking my email during this time. Please contact another member of the team or I will get back to you on my return.” And this is generally exactly what you mean.

  • ‘The leave-ism lurker’– this person lurks on their emails throughout the holiday, checking everything but not responding.

A leave-ism lurker’s OOO is likely to be similar to the secret stresser. But what you really mean is “Thanks for your email, I am currently off for Christmas but reading all of my emails as they come through each day, so I know exactly what’s going on. I’ll respond on my return.”

  • ‘The Christmas grinch’– the person that struggles to switch off at all and ends up working throughout the Christmas period.

This person may not have an OOO, but if they do, it will mirror a crisis checker and list out a number and be vague on whether or not they can be contacted. Essentially, it’s ‘business as usual’.

“It’s so important to find something that helps you to relax and ‘tune out’ of work life when you’re on annual leave, whether that’s reading a book, heading on a long walk or spending quality time with your family,” continues Ian.

“To ease the stress of returning to work post-Christmas, you can also try some practical tips before you leave, such as writing a to do list to round off your work for the year and set your priorities for your first day back.

“Taking time off is not a luxury – it’s a necessity. In the holiday season, where people often spend a lot of time catching up with family and friends they haven’t connected with in a while, this is especially important.

“Workers need to allow themselves to fully switch off to reduce fatigue and risk of burnout in the long run.”

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Pros and cons of universal basic income: solution to unemployment or too expensive?
5 mins read

Pros and cons of universal basic income: solution to unemployment or too expensive?

​​​What is universal basic income?

Universal basic income (UBI) is a system in which every adult receives a set amount of money on a regular basis. This payment is unconditional, meaning it does not depend on the recipient's income, employment status, or any other criterion.

Universal– to everyone

Basic– to cover everyday expenses

Income– regularly, for people to spend how they wish.

UBI has been an interesting and controversial topic of conversation over the past few years, with various trials and studies conducted to evaluate its potential impact. While we may be a long way off from this being considered in reality, let’s look at some of the pros and cons of introducing this concept.

Pros of universal basic income

Reduce poverty

One of the main arguments in favour of UBI is its potential to reduce poverty and economic inequality. A 2022 study by the University of York found that a UBI model could cut poverty by more than half. This would be achieved through tax adjustments and guaranteed weekly payments, providing a stable income for everyone. This stability could lead to a more robust economy, increased consumer spending, more job opportunities, and a healthier market overall.

Increased consumer spending

With more disposable income, people would likely spend more, stimulating demand for goods and services and benefiting businesses across various sectors. This increased spending could also lead to higher tax revenues, which could be reinvested into public services and infrastructure.

Empowering workers

UBI would offer a safety net, reducing the pressure on individuals to accept low-paying or precarious jobs. This could lead to higher job satisfaction and productivity, as people would be more likely to pursue jobs that align with their interests.

Improve workplace conditions

It would also encourage businesses to enhance their working conditions by shifting the power dynamic to the employees. With a guaranteed income, workers would no longer be compelled to stay in jobs solely for financial reasons, allowing them the freedom to leave roles with poor working conditions.

This shift in bargaining power would encourage employers to enhance job quality, offer higher wages, and create more supportive work environments to attract and retain employees. Consequently, businesses might need to implement more employee-focused policies, such as flexible working, improved benefits, and a stronger emphasis on work-life balance, to stay competitive in the labour market.

Innovation and entrepreneurship

Many people hesitate to start their own businesses due to fear of failure and financial risks. However, UBI could provide the financial stability needed to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation, potentially resulting in economic growth for the country. This could lead to the creation of new industries and job opportunities, further boosting the economy.

Foster education and societal benefits

Having a steady income would encourage more individuals to pursue further education and training, culminating in a more educated and skilled population. This increase in educational attainment can have numerous positive effects on society, including:

Higher civic engagement: an educated population is more likely to participate in civic activities such as voting, volunteering, and community involvement, fostering a stronger democratic process and community cohesion.

Enhanced critical thinking and creativity: education cultivates critical thinking and creativity, which are essential for technological innovation and economic growth.

Reduction in poverty and inequality: education is a powerful tool for breaking the cycle of poverty. By providing individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to secure better-paying jobs, UBI can help reduce income inequality and improve overall economic stability.

Improved public health: educated individuals are more likely to make informed health choices, meaning lower rates of chronic diseases and improved overall public health.

Cons of universal basic income

High cost

Implementing UBI would be extremely expensive, requiring significant tax increases and reallocation of public spending. While it's challenging to estimate the exact cost, one analysis projected a gross cost of 555 billion – which includes the UBI payments themselves as well as the cost of integrating it into the existing tax and benefits system. Therefore, many critics argue that for this reason, UBI is not sustainable or even feasible.

Decreased motivation to work

Critics argue that UBI could reduce people's incentives to work, prompting higher unemployment rates. They fear that with a guaranteed income, people might choose to work fewer hours or not at all. If this were the case, higher unemployment rates could negatively impact economic growth due to less taxable income.

Those who do continue working while receiving UBI might be less motivated to perform at their best. With their basic financial needs met by UBI, the urgency to excel and advance in their careers could diminish and we could see reduced effort and productivity.

Challenges for low-wage industries

Industries relying on low-wage labour might face increased wage demands, as workers with a financial safety net might be less willing to accept low-paying jobs. This could cause higher operational costs and potentially drive businesses to automate more processes.

Inflation

Increased disposable income could generate higher spending, driving up demand and prices, resulting in inflation. This could erode the purchasing power of the UBI payments, potentially negating some of the benefits.

Potential inequality

While UBI aims to reduce poverty and inequality, some argue that providing the same payment to everyone wouldn't solve inequality but merely shift the goalposts. Critics suggest that a more targeted approach might be necessary to address the specific needs of different groups within society.

The debate around UBI is far from settled, and its implementation would require careful consideration and robust policy design. As we move forward, it's important to engage in thoughtful discussions, consider diverse perspectives, and explore pilot programmes to better understand UBI's real-world impacts.

Ultimately, the question remains: can UBI be the transformative solution we need to fix the unstable labour market, or will it prove too costly and complex?

If you are looking for a talented professional to join your team, or seeking a new employment opportunity yourself, get in touch with a specialist consultant today.

How to fight economic inactivity
1 mins read

How to fight economic inactivity

​It was recently my turn to pick up the pen and contribute to City AM’s ‘The Note Book’.

I chose to write about the issue of economic inactivity and to focus on ways to encourage younger people into the workforce and ways to incentivise older workers to work for longer.

My thinking is that this will encourage the highly paid and highly skilled to work up until retirement age rather than choosing, as many do, to retire early.

And my estimation is that this would result in more, not less, tax being collected and collected sooner because these individuals are frequently higher rate taxpayers who will typically find ways to avoid inheritance tax in the extra spare time they have after they’ve taken early retirement.

Instead, these highly capable higher rate tax payers will be incentivised to continue to contribute to the growth of their organisations and the wider economy and consequently to the exchequer as well.

One for the Office of Budget Responsibility (OBR) to grapple with perhaps… but I’ve no idea how you’d model such an idea. Sometimes it’s just better to give things a go!

And if you do get a chance to see the play ‘A View from The Bridge’, you should go. It’s a precious thing - a brilliant play, brilliantly acted!

Click here to read the article.

Sales CV template: for Sales Executives and other sales professionals
2 mins read

Sales CV template: for Sales Executives and other sales professionals

​​Whether you are a sales executive, supplier relationship manager or field sales consultant, use our free template to build your perfect sales CV today.

[Full Name]
[Home address]
[Contact Number] • [Email Address]

Personal Statement

Use this section of your CV to highlight the skills that would be transferable in a sales environment e.g. questioning and listening, tenacity, resilience and the ability to think on your feet. It’s also a good idea to include a link to your LinkedIn profile.

Sales professionals are target driven and financially motivated, so don't forget to highlight and "sell" yourself.

Try to avoid statements such as "I work well as part of a team and on my own initiative" or "I can communicate at all levels" - the majority of CVs contain these statements. CVs that show creativity stand out in sales.

Education

A relevant degree, for example Business Studies will give you a great start, but many degrees have a sales element, e.g. Psychology - understanding people, Engineering - problem solving, Law - negotiation skills etc.

It is important to present your education in a way that identifies you as a sales person.

In some sales positions experience trumps education, so if you don’t have a glittering academic record, make sure you elaborate on your experience.

[College/School Name]
[Date M/Y– Date M/Y]

A-levels:

  • [Subject] – [Grade]

  • [Subject] – [Grade]

  • [Subject] – [Grade]

GCSEs:

  • [Number] GCSEs, grades [range], including Maths and English

Work Experience

This should be brief and, as a general rule of thumb, focus on the last five years of your career, or last three roles, in chronological order with the most recent at the top. Highlight your key achievements, and aim to use bullet points rather than lengthy descriptions.

[Job Title], [Company Name] [Location]
[Date M/Y- Date M/Y]

Achievements and responsibilities:

  • Brief role overview

  • Worked alongside [team] to produce [project]

  • Implemented [change] which resulted in [benefit]

  • Received an [award name] for [reason]

Hobbies and Interests

This section is not essential, but can be a good opportunity to reinforce your application, and show a future employer what motivates you outside of work.

Don’t just say that you ‘like to socialise’ be specific, and don’t be afraid to share your successes. If you can put a sales slant on this part of your CV too, even better.

I’ve completed a marathon for [charity]

I negotiated my away across [country] on a budget, working as I went

References

References are available upon request.

Download our full sales CV template.