Work-life balance: The dangers of not taking your leave days

Angeline* has never taken a day's leave for the past five years from the company she has worked for, for more than three decades.

This she says is due to the fact that business has not been doing well and her boss uses this as an excuse for not allowing her to take time off.

This has gone on for so long that when it comes time to take her days off, she is always offered the option of trading them in for work, which she happily accepts.

"These days, I gladly exchange my days off for money. I understand that rest is important, but I have learnt to live like this and take a few days off when I need to because I run the shop alone," she says.

Her holidays have become working days, and days off have become minimal.

While there are no overt threats, Angeline notes that she does not speak out about these issues as it could create an undertone of discrimination and open the door to constant scrutiny.

However, one career expert warns that the practice can have serious consequences for mental health and general wellbeing.

Eunice Victoria, a career coach based in Nairobi, says that too much of anything is toxic. When you wake up every day and do the same thing, it becomes your reality.

"This routine becomes your life, and that's why most people are in an irritable mood all the time. We've even seen cases of suicide because work has become the only reality for some people. They feel that in order to live in this world, they have to work constantly to develop their skills," says Victoria.

She goes on to explain that many people fall into the trap of believing that their lives will fall apart if they don't take a break from work. They think, 'If I don't work here, I'll fail', or 'What's the point of living if my hours don't change?

"This attitude is very dangerous. A lot of people think it's almost impossible to take a break; some fear that if they take a break, someone will take their job, or worse, they'll be demoted. But the reality is that if they don't look after themselves, life will go on - they will and can still be replaced," says Victoria.

Here are some factors to consider.

1. Your reality should not be clouded by work

People need to understand that their reality is not just about work. Work should be treated as just work and not idolised.
If you leave today, someone else will take over your work, regardless of your position. Even if it's your own company, the business could suffer if you're not productive due to burnout.

We need to understand that the wheel of life has many aspects that need our care and attention. It's vital that we take care of these other areas and give them the same importance, if not more, than our career. Time off, she says, provides a valuable opportunity to reflect on your skills and career path and how everything fits with your goals and how things have changed since you started.

2. For mental health

Regular breaks are essential for maintaining good mental health and preventing burnout. Just chasing money can mess with your brain. It's important to take all your time off, including sick days. If you don't feel well, see a doctor and ask for time off or sick days. Your health should always come first.

Have a succession plan, regardless of your rank in the organisation. If you leave, even temporarily, ask someone else to take over your responsibilities. This builds teamwork and trust as you move up the ladder. It's very dangerous to create a situation where no one can do your job, which leads to an unhealthy dependency.

3. Don't wait for the "perfect" time. Plan your time off days in advance.

Have proper documentation and be honest about your need for time off. Transparency is key to maintaining a healthy working relationship. Avoid the temptation to trade your time off for money. Your mental health and work-life balance are more valuable.
If you encounter resistance from your employer about taking leave, you may decide to pack your bags and leave without looking back. It's a toxic work environment and you shouldn't feel bad about leaving. Remember that a workplace that doesn't respect your right to take leave is likely to be unhealthy in other ways too.