As we quickly work our way through the summer months, have you been tempted to take a day off just to enjoy the beautiful weather or go on a spontaneous jaunt?  If so, you are not alone.

39% of workers admitted they have called to take a sick day during summer vacation time (Harris Interactive for Kronos).  This has even been given a name:  “Seasonal Disorder Syndrome.”  Can you guess what days SDS is most likely to strike?  Of course, Monday and Friday.

Many workers in the U.S. are literally starved for breaks.  See my article on Vacation Deprivation and the Workaholic Mindset.  It is important, from a time management and productivity angle, to be sure that you do have breaks and vacations. These allow you to come back to work refreshed and recharged, actually getting more done than if you had just plugged right on through. 

A problem develops when there is no plan or advance notice.  Companies are left short-handed, colleagues have to pick up the slack, and overall productivity, along with morale, suffers.  To counter this, businesses may need to build in more flexibility so that you have an option of taking some days without negative results.