Dubai: Productivity in the workplace is likely to suffer as residents returning after a long vacation may take several days to settle back into a regular working pattern, said HR professionals and psychologists.
“People show vacation withdrawal symptoms after a long break, more so in the UAE as the work force here largely comprises expats who visit their home countries during summer,” said Dr Lavina Ahuja, Personal Development Consultant, Lifeworks Personal Development Training, Dubai.
“Meeting family and friends and travelling often leaves them with no time to rest. It can be exhaustive which is why you hear people saying they need another vacation to recharge their batteries,” added Ahuja.
Dubai-based HR professional S. Khan said holiday hangover symptoms include being disoriented, feeling lethargic and having mood swings. “It’s not uncommon, but most people get over these things in a few days,” he said.
Norma Cairns, counselling psychologist, American Centre for Psychiatry and Neurology, Dubai, said the realisation of accepting responsibilities that the holiday period did not have often results in post vacation blues.
“The stress of getting back to discipline, reorganising your home and life and dealing with the work backlog can take its toll.
“You should be alarmed if these symptoms last beyond a week. In that case it could be a different underlying issue. Perhaps you are returning to a negative work environment – you need to look into the situation deeply,” she added.
Sales manager Avdesh Singh, 45, who returned after a month-long India trip last week, said he is struggling to find his bearings.
“Try as hard as I might, I can’t get back to my everyday work routine. I fear I may not be able to meet my monthly target,” he said.
Dr Ahuja said people like Singh should start with small, easy-to-complete tasks first, and slowly work towards bigger tasks.
“Start waking up at the time you used to, eat well, get back to exercising. Better still, plan something that you can look forward to. Planning your next vacation could also be a great mood lifter,” she said.
An HR manager said the impact of workers taking days to get back on track could be significant. “It can hurt businesses. Perhaps it’s time companies started hosting holiday sessions to bring workers up to speed.”
About 58 per cent suffer condition
Holiday hangover is not a formally registered condition, but it has been recognised by various studies, including one by the British Human Resources Development organisation where it was found that about 58 per cent of individuals suffer from holiday hangover when returning to work.
