Vacation time is a right, not a privilege.

The first day of summer is this Thursday, June 20. You know what that means, right? It’s officially time for a vacation, and I’m here for it! But not everyone is.

• According to Atym.com, July is the most popular vacation month, with 42% of travelers planning trips then, followed by June, August, and September.
• 27% of travelers take 3–4 day trips
• A meager 7% go for the full two-week getaway.
• An Indeed survey found that 59% of us work during vacations, and 20% skip summer vacations altogether.
• 212 million vacation days go unused every year.

What in the work-life-balance-world is going on?

Black women tend to shoulder more responsibilities than most. Facts. But playing a martyr and avoiding time off doesn’t do any of us a favor.

When I worked full-time in corporate, I took every single vacation day that came my way. (And I always took my birthday off, too.) As an entrepreneur, I've intentionally designed my lifestyle to exclude work/coaching in June, July, and August. Umm, hmm, that’s right. I take the summer off—unapologetically so.

So, I don’t get this reluctance to disconnect.

As Black women, we tend to shoulder more responsibilities than most. Facts. But playing a martyr and avoiding time off doesn’t do any of us a favor. Yet I've heard more than one client justify why they don't take time off:

“This is a super busy period. My team needs me.” So you’re indispensable? What happens if you get seriously ill? Or hit by a bus? No doubt the company will find a way to survive – even the busy season -- without you.

“I’m the only person who can do my job.” ?Your employer hired you, understanding this. It’s not your fault if they haven't established effective systems to handle your duties while you’re away so you can enjoy your time off without worrying. The onus of this hiring strategy rests with them, not you. Keep the guilt for this where the guilt belongs. (And that shouldn’t be on your shoulders)

For those of you who do take time off (yay! Proud of you). But you get demerits for taking your computer with you and making your family or friends wait while you dash off just “one more email.” What kind of message are you sending your family about who’s the priority in your life? Kids grow up fast. Husbands are sensitive. Parents won't always be able to travel. Friends won’t always be around. Keep that in mind each time you choose an email over the attention you give a loved one.

Vacation shamers (people who try to make you feel guilty for taking time off that you’ve earned) could also be keeping some of ya’ll at home or WWOV (working while on vacation). Vacation shaming can be direct or indirect.

• It might be a coworker grumbling about having to pick up your slack while you're gone or hinting that the higher-ups won’t be thrilled to hear you're taking more time off.
• When your bosses and colleagues can see all your social media vacation posts, they might be judging you silently (or not so silently). Comments like, “How can you afford such a fancy trip?” or “You’ve taken a lot of time off this year” can turn your much-needed breaks into a source of stress.
• Indirect shaming is sneakier, like when your company rewards those who never take time off with promotions and praise. The message? Dedication means NEVAH taking a break. (Gah!)

And for those of you who work for the 8% of U.S. companies offering unlimited paid time off (PTO), you could be suffering more than those with traditional policies.

Unlimited PTO sounds amazing in theory—take as much time as you need, whenever you need it—but in practice, it often means people take less time off. Companies love it because it’s easier for them: no tracking days, no updating balances, and no paying out for unused days when you leave. But for employees, it can feel like a hidden catch, especially if you work in a toxic work culture where taking time off gets translated into not being serious about your job. Yep, even post-COVID – it’s still a thing.

Don’t fall for the okie doke, girl. Push back against this type of toxic culture.

1. First, take your vacation time, ALL OF IT! Periodt.
2. Plan ahead and get your manager’s approval.
3. If you have unlimited time and that’s freaking you the heck out because you don’t know what the limit to unlimited means, consult a traditional vacation policy and determine how much time it allows for someone with your experience and aim for that.
4. Make sure your tasks are covered before, during, and after your vacation to show you’re not slacking off.
5. Most importantly, disconnect fully and unapologetically—no emails, no meetings, and you might even consider removing those pesky work colleagues from your social media platforms to keep your vacation posts private.

Look, taking a break isn’t just about physical rest; it’s about recharging mentally. You know that, right? It’s crucial for your well-being and productivity.

Vacation time is a right, not a privilege.

So this summer, don’t hesitate to take that trip you’ve been dreaming of. Ignore the vacation shamers and focus on your health and happiness. You deserve it!

Level Up with Grace is an award-winning newsletter created for African-American women in corporate America. Designed to equip Black women (and others) who want to unapologetically create a stellar career with the strategies, insights, and techniques needed to excel in corporate America. Executive coach Cheryl Grace shares a curation of thoughts, articles, profiles, trends, and tactics that can help women advance to their next professional level, wherever they are on their career journey.?Weekly emphasis on Confidence, Curiosity, Case Studies (Personal Profiles), Connection (Networking), or Course of Action (What to DO). Please subscribe and/or share

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Powerful Penny LLC is an executive coaching, consulting, and lifestyle firm founded by veteran corporate executive Cheryl Grace. We work with corporations seeking to promote, retain, and support diverse talent, as well as diverse professionals seeking to advance to their next level of career success. Our professional development services, coaching programs, and speaking/workshop series are fully customizable. Discover how we can help you achieve your desired long-term results!