Nearly one in three chief financial officers are forgoing vacations in these tough financial times to stay at work and tend to business, according to a new survey by Robert Half International.

Of the 1,400 CFOs nationwide surveyed, 31 percent said they would take fewer vacation days or skip their vacation altogether because of current economic conditions.

CFOs were asked, “Has the economy forced you to postpone or reduce the amount of vacation you plan to take this year?”

Two out of three of the financial officers said they would be going on vacation as usual.

While executives may be expected to, or feel they should stay close, their employees should be encouraged to take time off, says Paul McDonald, executive director of Robert Half Management Resources.

“A company’s hardest-working employees are often the ones that delay vacations during busy periods, reflecting their commitment to the organization and also their concern about playing ‘catch up’ when they return,’ he said. To help team members enjoy a relaxing and guilt-free break, McDonald recommends:

Develop a game plan. Create a system for granting vacation requests and plan accordingly. The sooner you can determine how you will cover for vacationing employees, the better.

Safeguard client relationships. Make sure staff members alert clients and other key business contacts when they will be on vacation and give details on who will be handling requests while they are out.

Use vacations as a ‘testing ground.’ Allow high-potential employees to take on greater responsibility when teams are thin, giving you the chance to evaluate them for future advancement opportunities.

Seek interim support. Companies operating with fewer people risk overloading remaining staff. Arrange additional staffing support when workloads become unmanageable.

Squeeze in some R&R for yourself. Taking a break is essential to recharging and bringing a fresh approach to business projects and challenges. It also sets a good example for employees who may otherwise feel compelled to do without a vacation.

Source: Robert Half Management Resources