Maximizing Vacation Time in 2025 with 'Time off Tooolbox'

Taking Time Off in 2025: How to Make the Most of Your Vacation Days

The start of a new year often brings dreams of vacations and getaways, but as we dive into 2025, employees everywhere are still struggling to take time off. According to millennial manager Roxy Couse, several factors contribute to workers holding onto their vacation days, including heavy workloads, job insecurity, and the need for small teams to stay intact. This trend results in billions of unused vacation days, ultimately affecting well-being and productivity.

Couse, who has experienced the challenges of requesting time off herself, is helping employees break free from these barriers through the Time Off Tooolbox, a new initiative by Choice Hotels. The platform, which features a playful “OOO” (Out of Office) theme with assistance from actor Keegan-Michael Key, offers tools, tips, and even humorous video templates for requesting vacation time.

The toolbox empowers employees to confidently ask for time off, whether it’s for a short weekend getaway or a longer vacation. One clever strategy to maximize time off is to plan vacations around public holidays like Memorial Day or July 4th when taking a single day off can create a long weekend.

Additionally, Choice Hotels' Time Off Tooolbox suggests using loyalty rewards, like Choice Privileges, to extend travel benefits by earning points for stays, which can be redeemed for discounts or even free nights. This helps travelers make the most of their vacation time while saving money.

But what are the new trends in travel that workers are embracing? Recent data shows that more people are prioritizing experiences over material goods, with many planning vacations to explore new places and take digital detoxes. This shift highlights a growing desire for personal growth and adventure, encouraging a break from screens and the pressures of daily life.

For those looking to plan their next escape, Couse suggests utilizing the Time Off Tooolbox and taking advantage of the vacation resources available to ensure a well-deserved break from the daily grind. To learn more about these tools and get vacation planning tips, head to choicehotelstimeofftooolbox.com.