Imagine if you took three day weekends more often beyond the 8 long weekends for federal holidays. Most Americans think it’s impossible. We’re programmed with the “Puritan work ethic” to work long hours and take few vacations. We don’t believe working less days can increase productivity. However, after our President’s Day off today, this is our last long weekend until Memorial Day. Or is it? Where’s the rule that says we can’t or should not take any time off between now and Memorial Day? While January – April is a busy season for tax professionals, March and April are excellent times to take at least 1 long weekend. Warmer weather, spring break and still off season.

Even if you don’t want to spend money on a short three-day getaway, I can show you how to maximize long weekends based on my own experience taking long weekends during each quarter and still have leftover PTO. With some creativity and careful planning, 3-day weekends can be invaluable to organizations and employees alike for the following reasons:

• Employees are less likely to call out
• Improve health
• Less time to procrastinate

INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY INSTEAD OF CALLING OUT

In the US, Americans barely take time off. Research shows only about 23% of employees took their PTO in 2025 even though 82% of respondents to a survey had some paid time off (PTO). And yet, employees call out regularly because of burnout. Employees work long hours and still have to fit in so-called “adulting” – housework, paying bills, laundry, grocery shopping, cooking, caring for children or other family members and home improvement projects. No wonder that 40% of employees find themselves calling out sick. They (really we) need that extra day off to tend to lifeing and that also includes taking care of health. Since most medical providers work standard business hours, employees have to either use PTO to see their providers, skip appointments or call out sick to keep their medical appointments. No wonder why over 20% of employees call out sick just to fit in medical appointments.

AN EXTRA DAY OFF IMPROVES HEALTH

An extra day off is not just for chores or appointments. Taking time to relax and recharge can do wonders for our health. The time off from work reduces stress, which in turn increases focus and productivity. A recent study showed that when people take time off, they increased physical movement and added extra minutes of sleep. In particular, when people took vacations, their cognitive functioning and mood improved. In addition, time away owered the risk of conditions ranging from cardiovascular disease to diabetes and more. Instead of just taking long weekends from federal holidays, employees should regularly take time off.

SHORTER WEEK GIVES LESS TIME TO PROCRASTINATE

A three-day weekend or four-day work week means cramming 40 hours of work in 4 days instead of 5. As more companies have implemented a 4-day work week, they discovered something surprising. Employees’ productivity increased as a result of having less time to procrastinate. In a recent study, employees at over 141 companies spanning across the globe were asked how they felt about their work performance following a trial four-day work week. Following the six-month trial, most workers believed that their overall performance improved. Companies noted that the shorter work weeks increased efficiency. So much so that 90% of the companies that participated in the study decided to keep the four-day work week after the study’s completion.

HOW TO TAKE 3-DAY WEEKENDS (OR IMPLEMENT 4-DAY WEEKS)

• Know your employer’s time off policies
• Plan around deadlines or busy seasons
• Negotiate time off with your coworkers to ensure adequate coverage
• Be prepared to work longer hours to meet deadlines prior to taking time off
• Take your birthday off or tack on an extra day to federal holidays
• Use at least 1 day to schedule appointments, deliveries, and home renovations all in one day
• Plan something fun to do – whether a getaway or staycation

Ready to boost productivity and well-being with a shorter work week? Contact me so that I can show you how to make the most of 3-day weekends or implement 4-day work weeks.