Getting back on track after return to work.

• Position: Vacations

While many workers were focusing on what they needed to accomplish before taking time off during the holiday season, their bosses probably were thinking of ways to get them back on track once they return. In a survey by OfficeTeam, Menlo Park, Calif., a staffing service specializing in skilled administrative professionals, executives said it takes the average employee a day and a half to return to normal productivity levels following a vacation.

"Employees returning to work after even a short period of time off are often met with overflowing in-boxes and an abundance of unread e-mail," points out Liz Hughes, executive director of OfficeTeam. "In addition, new projects requiring their immediate attention can make the first day back seem overwhelming" She suggests that organizing yourself before a vacation can minimize the time spent playing catch-up upon your return, and offers these tips:

* Use out-of-office features. Before you leave, change your voice- and e-mail greetings to indicate you are on vacation. Offer contact information for a colleague who can assist with urgent issues. People are less likely to leave more than one message for...