How To Make The Most Of Your Public Holiday

Many people would be surprised to know that Australia isn’t the laid back nation it is perceived to be, with only 63% of Aussies taking all their entitled leave per year. According to Roy Morgan research, the average Australian has stashed away 21 days of annual leave.

In saying that, 70% of leave stockpilers admit that taking time off to recharge does wonders for health, happiness, and more productivity at work but fear taking leave due to a number of personal and professional barriers.

Luckily, we are blessed to live in a country where national holidays fall almost solely on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays giving leave stockpilers an opportunity to take a short break without getting FOTAL (Fear of Taking Annual Leave). It also gives the other 10% of Australians that are constantly in leave shortage, a chance for a minimal-leave-needed getaway. Here’s how:

1. Australia Day

With Australia Day falling on a Tuesday this year, it is no surprise that nearly 200,000 employees are expected to chuck a sickie on Monday the 25th of January. Being that employers are bracing themselves for the influx of sickies that usually occur around Australia Day, it may be a little too late (or a huge risk to your job if you tried) to get up and go right now.

For the excessive leave stockpiler that would be doing their employer a favour by taking some days off, this weekend is the perfect opportunity for a quick getaway. The smart planner would take Friday the 22nd and Monday the 25th off resulting in a five day holiday for only two days of leave.

2. Easter

The leave-stockpiler’s dream. With a four day weekend beginning on Good Friday, the 25th of March, extending to Easter Monday, the 28th of March, take only 5 days of leave either side and you have yourself a trip to Europe. The best advice for making the most of this time? Book yourself a CostSaver trip – not only saving young professionals money, it’s a new hassle-free way to travel where you’ll see the major sights and have loads of free time to do your own thing.

3. ANZAC Day

Falling on a Monday, this revered public holiday is a way to celebrate the national pride of our country. While an overseas holiday may not be feasible this year without

taking an additional week’s worth of leave, it is a good opportunity to take a day or two either side for a quick local getaway – think luxury weekend away to the Hunter Valley with Inspiring Journeys.

In saying that, ANZAC Day 2017 is a much better scorecard, falling just over a week after the Easter long weekend. Plan ahead and score a week off work (and perhaps a few more days for the advanced notice) and head to the USA with Trafalgar’s Tastes and Sounds of the South guided holiday. As a bonus, this is also the best time to travel to the States, being off-peak with the pleasant springtime climate.

4. Christmas

Tis’ the season to milk your annual leave. With Christmas falling on a Sunday this year, we are given a glorious trifecta of public holidays with an additional day off on Monday the 27th preceded by Christmas and Boxing Day. Use the time wisely and book in your leave now to experience the magic of a European White Christmas or a glamorous New York New Year’s Eve with Trafalgar.


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