Workers rue not taking more days.

• Position: Vacations - Brief article

Employees planning personal travel this holiday season may want to tack on a few extra days, suggests a survey developed by OfficeTeam, Menlo Park, Calif., a staffing service specializing in skilled administrative professionals. Forty-three percent of workers polled admit that the biggest mistake they made with their last vacation was not taking enough time off.

"Employees fearful of falling behind on projects or not seeming like team players often put off vacations or limit breaks to long weekends," points out Diane Domeyer, executive director of OfficeTeam. "Lean staffing levels in recent years have left many professionals with increased pressure at work, but this makes the need to recharge more vital than ever."

Domeyer notes that collaborating with coworkers can help staff members rest easy while they are away. "Inform colleagues of the status of key projects before you leave and designate a point person in your absence. Also, consider which tasks a temporary or project professional could assume." She offers these tips for getting the most benefit...